Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn RPO Zone Stick is a run pass option out of Shotgun Deuce Close (12 personnel) that pairs an inside zone run scheme with a stick concept to the perimeter, giving the quarterback a true dual threat pre-snap and post-snap. The motion adds a jet or orbit element that stresses flow defenders and forces the second level to declare before the snap, while the zone blocking up front stays true to sell the run. The primary read progression starts with the read defender (usually the alley or overhang player), keying whether he crashes down on the zone run or widens with the stick route, then progresses into the stick concept itself if the box count or leverage says throw.
Defensive Reads
Key the alley defender or overhang linebacker immediately after the snap. If he sprints downhill to fill the zone run, the stick concept behind him is wide open for an easy pitch and catch. Watch safety depth pre-snap. Two-high shells with soft corners tell you the stick route will have a big cushion, so throwing off the RPO read becomes low risk. If the defense shows a single high safety with the corner pressed on the stick receiver, the run fit is likely stacked to stop the zone, but the underneath hook defender may be your key for a quick option throw instead. Beware defenses that use a scrape exchange or a designed nano blitz off the edge, since these disguise the true run key and can beat this RPO before the mesh point resolves. Zone blitzes with a spy or a robber sitting in the stick window can bait the quarterback into a bad read, so check for a linebacker sitting unusually shallow before pulling the trigger on the pass option.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone coverage before you even get to the mesh point, since a defender running with the motion man confirms man coverage and opens up the stick side as a hot read.
Count the box before the snap. If the defense has six or more in the box, lean toward pulling the ball and working the stick concept instead of forcing the zone run into a loaded front.
Hot route the backside slot into a quick option or speed out if you are facing off-man corners, since it gives you an extra answer versus press coverage without changing the run fit.
Pair this play with Inside Zone and RPO Read Cntr in your play calling sequence so the defense has to respect the run fits identically on every snap, making the RPO key defender's job much harder late in games.
Best used on early downs (first and ten, second and medium) where defenses are still honoring run personnel in 12 personnel, since it punishes aggressive run fits without sacrificing a manageable third down.
