Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
RPO Alert WR Screen is an RPO out of Shotgun Bunch Trio Open that puts a run action behind an inside zone blocking scheme (five offensive linemen sealing the box) while the bunch receiver on the play side runs a quick screen with a blocker in front to spring him. The lone isolated receiver on the backside runs a vertical release straight upfield to hold the corner and safety honest. The QB reads the alert defender at the snap: if that flat or slot defender crashes down on the run fit, pull and fire the screen; if he sits or widens, hand the ball off on the zone read look.
Defensive Reads
Watch the slot defender aligned over the bunch at the snap, if he sprints to the flat pre-snap the screen is dead and you should pull it back for the run. Check safety depth before the snap, two deep safeties signal Cover 2 or Cover 4 which softens the vertical threat and invites you to trust the screen blockers. Post-snap, track linebacker flow, if the second level linebackers bite hard on the run fake the alert screen has a clean lane since blockers only need to handle the first level. Beware user-controlled defenders spying the bunch formation, a smart user player will sit the alert defender in the throwing lane and bait the RPO trigger, so mix in the straight handoff to punish jump-happy defenders. Man coverage with the corner pressed on the vertical route leaves the screen blocker in space against a smaller cornerback, which is the ideal matchup to trigger the pass side of the RPO.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify the alert defender closest to the bunch, usually a slot corner or overhang linebacker, since his run/pass conflict decides the entire play.
If the defense shows a heavy box with 8 or more defenders crowding the line, key the screen side immediately and snap it out before second-level defenders can flow.
Against single-high or Cover 3 shells the backside vertical route can occupy the deep defender, so do not force the screen if the alert defender bails into coverage.
Use the manual throw button to speed up the screen release if the CPU AI hesitates, especially against aggressive blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge.
Pair this play with Inside Zone and PA Fake Screen Verts from the same set so the defense has to respect both the actual run action and the screen fake off identical formation and motion.
