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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
RPO Alert Out is an inside zone RPO out of Shotgun Bunch Open Offset with 11 personnel. The diagram shows the backside receiver running a single out route breaking hard toward the sideline while the offensive line executes an inside zone blocking scheme up front, giving the quarterback a run/pass conflict read on the alerted defender. The primary progression is a pre-snap or post-snap alert key on the flat or overhang defender: if he sits inside to defend the run, pull and throw the out for an easy pitch and catch, and if he widens to cover the out, hand off into the zone run lane.
Defensive Reads
As the defense, key the alerted defender's depth and leverage before the snap since that tells the offense which way you are jumping. Aggressive run fits from the overhang defender open up the out route immediately, so discipline is critical against this concept. Man coverage with the corner playing tight outside leverage takes away the out and forces the offense into the run look. Zone coverage with a flat defender sitting on the route can jump the throw if the quarterback holds it a beat too long. Watch for the offense pairing this with Inside Zone or Reload Inside Zone from the same formation, since they are banking on you overcommitting to stop the run first.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the alerted defender to decide run or pass before the snap even happens.
This works best against light boxes and off man coverage since the out route wins instantly if the corner or overhang plays soft.
Call this on early downs like first and ten or second and short to keep defenses honest between run and pass without changing personnel.
Pair it with Inside Zone and Reload Inside Zone from the same set so the defense cannot sit on the RPO key and start jumping the out route.
If the defender assigned to the alert is walked up tight to the line pre-snap, lean run since the throwing window on the out will be too small.
