Playbooks

RPO Zone Alert Screen

Shotgun·Double Stack·11

Screen Pass RPO Pass Play Run Play

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetDouble Stack

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

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Breakdown

RPO Zone Alert Screen out of Shotgun Double Stack combines an inside zone run with a bubble or alert screen tagged to the perimeter, forcing linebackers and slot defenders to declare their intent before the quarterback commits. The blocking scheme up front sells zone run action while the screen alert releases a receiver to the flat with blockers building a wall in space. This is an RPO and screen hybrid, effective as both a zone beater and a light box counter, and the primary read progression is quarterback keys the second level defender or overhang defender closest to the screen side: if that defender crashes down on the run fit, pull and throw the screen, if he sits or drops into coverage, hand the ball off into the vacated running lane.

Defensive Reads

Watch the play side linebacker depth before the snap, since a linebacker sitting shallow at four to five yards is more likely to crash on the run fit and get beat by the screen. Look for safety rotation to the screen side, because a single high safety shell with the corner playing off leaves the alert screen wide open with no immediate flow help. Identify if the defense is running a nano blitz or edge pressure package, since fast edge rushers can disrupt the screen timing and blow up the pulling blockers before they set the wall. Post-snap, track any user-controlled defender sitting in a lurk technique near the screen target, as a smart human defender will often bait the quarterback and jump the throw. This play struggles against aggressive man coverage with press corners on the outside and inside run blitzes that fill gaps immediately, since both eliminate the natural conflict this RPO is designed to create.

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap and use this play when defenses show six or fewer in the box, since that confirms the run read is live and the screen is a bonus outlet if a defender cheats late.

Identify the slot or overhang defender assigned to the screen side immediately after the snap, since his first two steps tell you whether to pull the ball or hand it off.

Use motion or a quick pre-snap shift if available to see if the defense adjusts leverage, which reveals man coverage rotation or a zone defender's true landmark.

Pair this call with RPO Alert Trap or RPO Trap Alert Screen on early downs to keep the defense guessing between inside run action and perimeter screen release without changing your formation or personnel.

Save this for first or second down in normal distance situations, since the built-in run option gives you positive yardage floor even if the defense sniffs out the screen.