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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
RPO Alert Bus is a run-pass option out of Shotgun Doubles Offset that pairs an inside run fit with two vertical read routes on the perimeter. The backside receiver runs an out-and-up into a corner route while the frontside receiver works a quick out that breaks into a deep crosser, giving the quarterback a run key plus two zone-stressing throws. Off the diagram this reads run first to the mesh point, then a peek to the corner route away from the box before working back to the deep crosser, making it both a run play and a zone beater when linebackers bite downhill.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is in a run blitz look with linebackers stacked tight to the line, this is the exact trigger the QB is coached to throw off of. Watch the flat defender on the frontside out route, if he sinks with the crosser the quick out is wide open underneath. Key the backside cornerback's depth, if he is playing tight man coverage without deep safety help the corner route wins over the top immediately. User the middle linebacker post-snap to take away the crosser, this forces the quarterback to check down or eat the run fit instead. Against zone shells, sit a defender in the deep half to close the corner route window and force the ball to the shorter out route where you can rally and tackle.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, count the box defenders and check if the second level linebacker is sitting inside the tackle box, that is your run alert key.
If the safety rotates down pre-snap into an eight man front, pull the ball immediately and throw off the RPO read instead of handing it off.
Use the corner route as your explosive play answer against single high shells where the corner is playing off with no safety help over the top.
Hot route the deep crosser into a shallow drag against Cover 2 or Tampa 2 if the flat defender is sitting on the out route, this keeps the underneath window open.
Sequence this with Read Option or Inside Zone earlier in the drive so the defense respects the run fit, then come back to RPO Alert Bus on early downs when the linebackers start crashing the mesh point.
