Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Trap Alert Screen is a run-pass option out of Shotgun Bunch Open Offset that pairs a Trap run scheme with an alert screen to the backside or bunch side, giving the quarterback a true post-snap decision. The blocking scheme pulls a guard through the frontside gap to kick out the defensive end while the screen concept builds outside as a pressure and numbers valve. Read the frontside linebacker or the defensive end crash first: if he sits inside on the trap action, throw the screen, and if he stays wide or bites on run flow, hand the ball off and let the trap lane develop. This is a hybrid zone and man beater because the RPO read is triggered by leverage and flow, not by coverage shell.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing a light box or a stacked box, since a light box favors the trap handoff and a stacked box favors the screen read. Watch the defensive end assigned to the trap side: if he crashes hard down the line on snap, the screen is the correct read because the edge will be wide open. Key the flat defender or force player on the screen side, since a squatting corner or an aggressive slot defender sitting on the screen will blow this play up if the quarterback does not pull it back to the run. User-controlled players sniffing out the trap pull or sitting the screen lane are the biggest threat, so look for defenders spying the guard or hovering just outside the tackle box post-snap. Cover 3 and Cover 1 shells with aggressive linebacker fills are vulnerable to this concept, while disciplined zone match teams that keep linebackers home and corners squatting on bunch releases can neutralize both options.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and if you see six or more defenders stacked in the box, lean toward the screen since the trap lane will be clogged.
Use your pre-snap motion or shifts sparingly here so you do not tip the screen side, since defenders keying bunch alignments will jump the flat.
Hot route the backside receiver into a shallow drag if you are getting spot dropped, this gives the quarterback a second escape valve if both the trap and screen are covered.
Pair this play with Duo and Inside Zone from the same set so defenders start keying run fits, then punish overaggressive linebackers with this RPO once they start flowing hard on run action.
This play shines on early downs (1st and 10, 2nd and short) where defenses are more willing to sell out on the run, but avoid it against known blitz-heavy teams unless you have already established the trap run.
