Playbooks
Return RPO Zone Alert is an RPO built off the Doubles Stack Clamp look in Shotgun 11 personnel, giving the quarterback a give or throw decision based on the second level defenders. The zone run action stresses the box while the alert route on the perimeter (built off the stack) works as a fast pull throw versus overaggressive linebackers. Primary read progression starts with the read defender at the line, if he sits or crashes hard the QB pulls to throw the alert route, if he stays home or hangs, the ball goes to the zone run.
Watch the play side linebacker depth at the snap, shallow depth or crashing downhill signals run support and should trigger the throw read Check safety alignment pre-snap, a single high safety often means heavier run support in the box which favors pulling to throw Look for user controlled defenders sitting in short zones near the stack receivers, since a lurking user defender jumping the alert route kills the pass option and means you should stick with the run Cover 3 and man blitz packages are vulnerable to this play since the flow to the run side opens the alert throw, but disciplined Cover 4 or Tampa 2 shells with linebackers reading keys can shut down both options Post snap track linebacker flow, if the linebackers flow hard to the run action, the alert throw window opens up on the backside almost immediately
Pre-snap identify whether the defense is showing a run blitz or a two high shell, since light boxes with six or fewer defenders favor the run side of the RPO
Key the play side linebacker before the snap, if he is sitting flat footed near the line expecting run, prioritize pulling the ball for the alert throw immediately after the snap
Use this on early downs like first and ten or second and short to keep the defense honest and force linebacker hesitation on subsequent zone runs
Pair this with Same Side Zone and Inside Zone earlier in a series so the defense over commits to reading run fits, making the alert throw easier to hit later
Against zone heavy defenses use the give read since flowing linebackers create natural cutback lanes, against man coverage look immediately to pull and throw the alert route for a numbers advantage