Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| WR3 | Right | Pass Block |
| WR1 | Left | Run Block |
| WR2 | Right | Flat |
| TE1 | Right | Flat |
Mtn RPO Peek Flats is a run pass option out of Shotgun Bunch HB Str that pairs an inside zone handoff with a quick flat and peek route combo from the bunch set. The motion tightens the bunch alignment pre-snap, forcing the defense to declare its run fit and coverage rotation before the ball is snapped. The primary read is the playside second level defender: if he steps up to fill the run lane, pull and hit the flat or peek window behind him, if he stays home in coverage, hand the ball off into the zone scheme up front.
Key the playside linebacker depth at the snap, if he crashes downhill on run action that confirms the pull read to the flat or peek. Watch for a sky or cloud safety rotating down presnap, since that alignment often signals a run blitz look that this RPO is designed to gash. Man coverage with the corner following the motion man out of the bunch opens the peek route as the quickest answer against a natural rub. Zone defenses that spin a linebacker underneath the bunch concept can take away both the flat and peek, forcing a decision to stay with the run instead. A disciplined defense that keeps its second level defender square and reading the quarterback's eyes, rather than crashing on run fake, is the toughest shell to beat with this concept.
Use the pre-snap motion to bait linebackers into showing their run fit, then freeze your eyes on the flat defender for the pull decision.
This play is best on second and short or third and manageable when defenses are more willing to sell out against the run.
Against zone shells with soft corners, the flat route is an easy underneath completion, but against man coverage with no help over the bunch, the peek route wins quickly on a natural pick.
Pair this with Inside Zone earlier in a series so the defense respects the run fake, then come back to Mtn RPO Peek Flats to punish overaggressive linebacker crashes.
If the defense shows heavy blitz pre-snap, consider hot routing the peek receiver into a quick out to give yourself a faster answer against man pressure.