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Breakdown
RPO Peek Slant out of Shotgun Ace 12 personnel gives the QB a run/pass conflict read on the play side alley defender. The offensive line runs an inside zone blocking scheme while the backside slot receiver runs a quick slant into the middle of the field and the outside receiver on that side pushes vertical up the sideline as a clear out. This is an RPO designed to punish light boxes and zone defenders who crash down on the run fake, with the primary read being the slant window versus the give to the back on inside zone.
Defensive Reads
Man to man defenses with linebackers matched up on the slot receiver get exposed by the quick separation on the slant route. Base 4-3 or 3-4 fronts that crash hard on inside zone action leave the middle of the field wide open for the peek read. Watch for a defensive coordinator sitting a linebacker or safety in a shallow zone as a lurk defender since that player can jump the slant if the QB stares it down. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with underneath zone defenders sinking quickly will take away the slant window and force the offense back into the run. Heavy blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge can disrupt the mesh point and force a bad pull or throw before the slant fully develops.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and if the defense shows six or fewer in the box, keep your eyes on the slant window instead of handing it off. Use this against teams that load up with linebackers to stop inside zone since the slant will sit right behind them in the vacated area. Hot route the vertical receiver into a deep comeback against teams that like to jump the slant with a robber or lurking linebacker. Pair this play with Inside Zone and PA Read from the same set so the defense has to respect the run fake every single snap, making the RPO read even more dangerous later in the drive. Best used on early downs (first and ten, second and short) when defenses are more willing to sell out against the run.
