Playbooks
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
RPO Zone Alert Cheat is a run pass option out of Shotgun Bunch that pairs an inside zone run with a backside receiver bubble/cheat route. The diagram shows the run action bending to the playside A gap behind zone blocking up front while the lone backside X receiver runs a flat cheat route away from the box. The QB reads the alley defender or unblocked backside defender: give the zone run if that defender crashes down, or pull and throw the quick cheat route if he widens or blitzes off the edge.
Defensive Reads
Watch the alley or force defender on the backside before the snap, if he walks up into the box the cheat throw is live all game. Man coverage with the corner pressed on the outside receiver invites the run since the cheat route has no room to operate against tight leverage. Zone coverage with a flat defender sitting outside is the key indicator to hand it off, since that defender is already positioned to jump the cheat route. User controlled linebackers spying the mesh point can blow up both options, so account for that with your own hot route or by working the ball out fast. Overloaded run blitzes from the play side signal a bail to the backside throw since the numbers already favor the offense outside.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and let numbers dictate your decision instead of guessing at the snap.
If the defense shows six or more in the box, key the read defender hard and be ready to pull and fire the cheat route immediately.
Use this play on early downs in run heavy personnel packages so the defense respects both the zone run and the RPO throw.
Pair this with Inside Zone and Cheat Inside Zone from the same set so defenses cannot sit on the RPO key without getting gashed by the pure run look.
Sprinkle in Read Option and Jet Pull Shallow from this set to keep second level defenders honest and slow down fast flow to the run side.
