Playbooks

RPO Trap Alert Screen

Shotgun·Bunch Open Offset·11

Trap Screen Pass RPO Run Play Pass Play Power Run

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetBunch Open Offset

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 6 playbooks

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Breakdown

RPO Trap Alert Screen is a true run-pass option out of Bunch Open Offset that pairs a Trap run scheme with an alert screen to the backside or bunch side, giving the quarterback a pre-snap and post-snap decision based on defensive numbers and flow. The trap blocking pulls a guard across the formation to kick out the first defender past the center, punishing overaggressive interior fill from linebackers, while the screen serves as the pressure and numbers-beater if the box is loaded or defenders crash hard downhill. The primary read progression starts with a pre-snap count of the box, then post-snap the quarterback keys linebacker flow: if they bite on the trap action or blitz off the edge, pull and throw the screen, if the box stays light and the trap lane opens, hand it off.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety shells since single high alignments often mean an extra run defender in the box, which should trigger your screen read Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they crash hard downhill on the trap action or trigger a run blitz, that is your cue to pull and throw since they have vacated the screen lane Look for man coverage indicators on the bunch receivers such as tight press alignment, this tells you defenders will have to fight through traffic to get to the screen, which favors the offense Beware of a disciplined defense that plays contain and keeps a linebacker or safety spying the screen concept, since sitting defenders sniffing the RPO can blow up both the run and the throw This play struggles against a well-timed run blitz combined with a hard-charging edge defender who reads trap and screen simultaneously, so avoid this call versus aggressive nano blitz packages or teams that consistently show fast linebacker triggers

Usage Tips

Count the defenders in the box before the snap and use this as your primary trigger for handing off versus pulling to throw the screen

If the defense shows six or more in the box or brings a heavy blitz look, favor the screen since the trap alley will be clogged

Use the bunch alignment to your advantage by checking if defenders are playing tight man on the bunch receivers, which signals the screen will have room to work after the catch

Pair this play with Duo and Inside Zone earlier in a series to establish inside run tendencies, then call RPO Trap Alert Screen to punish linebackers who start cheating downhill

Best used on early downs (first and ten or second and short) when defenses are more likely to sell out against the run and open up the screen option

Mix in RPO Read Bubble and RPO Alert Out from this same set to keep defenders guessing between bubble screens, out routes, and the trap screen look