Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
RPO Zone Peek is an RPO built off an inside zone blocking scheme with a peek route (typically a slot receiver sneaking inside vacated by the second level defenders) layered on top. The QB's primary read progression starts with the play-side linebacker or first inside defender: if that defender steps up to fill the zone run lane, pull and hit the peek route behind him, but if he sits or drops to cover the peek route, hand it off or pull and keep for the zone run lane. This play is a true dual-threat call, functioning as both a zone run beater against light boxes and a zone/man beater against defenses that overreact to run action.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and linebacker alignment, if both safeties are deep and the linebackers are stacked tight to the line, the offense is likely to get a clean peek throw once the backers step up. Post-snap, user the play-side linebacker or spy defender and force him to stay disciplined between run fits and peek route coverage instead of committing hard to either. Watch for a lurking user defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, since that is the exact area the peek route attacks and a smart defender there can bait the QB into a turnover. Cover 3 and Cover 1 with aggressive run support are the most vulnerable to this play because linebackers flow hard to the run fit and leave the peek lane open. Cover 4 and Cover 2 shells with disciplined linebackers who stay square and read the mesh point shut this play down, since they can play both the run fit and the peek route without over-committing.
Usage Tips
Check the box count pre-snap and if the defense has six or more defenders stacked near the line, lean toward pulling and throwing the peek route instead of forcing the run through traffic.
Use your pre-snap alerts to key the play-side linebacker's depth, if he is sitting at five yards or deeper he is likely reading run first, which opens the peek window immediately after the snap.
Hot route the backside receiver on a quick out or slant if you are facing man coverage, since RPO Zone Peek's stock routes are designed more for zone reads than beating tight man leverage.
Sequence this play with Inside Zone and Read Option earlier in a drive so the defense commits to crashing down on run action, then come back to RPO Zone Peek to punish overaggressive linebackers.
Best used on early downs in run-heavy personnel counts (1st and 10, 2nd and short) when defenses are more likely to sell out against the run rather than sit back in zone drops.
