Playbooks

RPO Zone Peek

Shotgun·Doubles Offset Wk·11
RPOPass PlayRun Play

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 8 playbooks

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Breakdown

RPO Zone Peek pairs an inside zone run scheme with a peek route from the backside slot receiver, giving the quarterback a true run pass conflict read built off the flow of the second level defenders. If the play side linebacker or peek defender steps up to fill the zone run lane, the quarterback pulls the ball and hits the peek route on the backside for a quick vertical shot behind the flowing defense. This is an RPO at its core, but it functions as a zone beater against defenses that key run fits with linebackers, since it punishes any downhill trigger with a free release throw.

Defensive Reads

Watch the play side linebacker depth before the snap, since linebackers sitting closer to the line of scrimmage signal aggressive run fits that this play is designed to exploit. Post snap, key the peek defender directly, if he crashes down to fill the run lane the throw window opens immediately for the peek route. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with linebackers reading run first are the most vulnerable to this concept because the peek defender is often the same linebacker responsible for the run fit. Man coverage with a linebacker in man on the peek receiver can shut this down quickly since he can mirror the route instead of reacting to run flow. User controlled defenders who sit at depth and refuse to bite on the run action, often seen in Cover 2 or Cover 6 shells, take away the peek throw and force you to commit fully to the run action instead.

Usage Tips

Presnap, identify where the linebackers are stacked and whether the peek defender is a linebacker or a safety, since a light box with linebackers cheating up is your green light to run the ball. Use the peek key indicator on screen to make your run pass decision instead of guessing, and get comfortable pulling the trigger quickly so the throw does not become late. This play works best on early downs like first and second and ten when defenses are more willing to sell out on run fits. Mix this call with RPO Peek Slant and RPO Power Peek Slant from the same set so the defense cannot sit on the peek key without also respecting the slant threat behind it. Against teams that spam Cover 3 or Cover 4 with aggressive linebacker run fits, lean on this play repeatedly until they adjust their linebacker depth, then counter with Inside Zone or Outside Zone once they start sitting on the peek throw.

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