Playbooks

Mtn RPO Zone Stick

Shotgun·Deuce Close·12
RPOStickStick ConceptMotionPass PlayRun Play

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

Mtn RPO Zone Stick is a run pass option built off an inside zone action with a Stick concept layered on top, making it one of the more balanced dual threat calls in Shotgun Deuce Close. The offensive line executes zone blocking rules for the run while the Stick concept (flat, stick, and a deep sit route) gives the quarterback a pre and post snap read to throw or hand off. Read the flat defender or the alley run fit first, since a widened flat defender or crashing linebacker opens the give, while a squeezed box tells you to pull and hit the stick route working underneath zone or the flat man beater against man coverage.

Defensive Reads

Watch the flat defender and alley run support before the snap, a defender sitting too deep or wide signals a clean crease for the give read Key the linebacker depth at the snap, shallow drops mean they are keying run so hit the stick route with confidence Zone coverage shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 struggle to defend both the run fit and the stick route at the same time, this play exploits the conflict defender in those shells Man coverage with a blitz package is the counter, if you see press man with extra rushers crashing downhill, get the ball out immediately on the flat or eat the sack risk Watch for a user controlled linebacker sitting in the stick window, if he stays home instead of respecting the run fake, check down to the flat or take the zone run read instead

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap and if there are six or fewer defenders in the box, lean run and let the RPO logic take over on the fly

Use the stick route as your first pass key against zone coverage since it settles into soft spots created by linebackers dropping to cover run fits

Motion pre snap if available to force the defense to declare man or zone, this cleans up your key read on whether to throw the flat or work the stick

Pair this call with straight Inside Zone or Outside Zone from the same set to condition the defense to bite on run fits, then come back to Mtn RPO Zone Stick to punish overaggressive linebackers

On third and short or second and manageable, this play is ideal because both the run and the underneath pass answers are conversion friendly against nickel and base fronts

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