Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Zone Peek is a run-pass option out of Shotgun Doubles Y Off that pairs an inside zone run scheme with a peek route from the slot receiver over the middle. The offensive line executes zone blocking while the quarterback reads the second level defender, typically the play side or middle linebacker, to decide whether to hand off or pull and throw the peek route into the vacated window. This is a zone beater at its core, punishing linebackers who crash down on the run fit and creating an easy explosive gain over the middle when defenses sell out to stop inside zone.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the linebackers are stacked tight to the line, which signals an aggressive run blitz that opens the peek window immediately. Watch for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, since that user controlled defender is designed to jump the peek route and bait the quarterback. Post-snap, key whether the play side linebacker steps up to fill the run gap or hangs back in a zone drop, since his first two steps determine whether the QB pulls the ball. Man coverage with no safety help over the middle is where this play is most vulnerable to a big peek completion, so man beaters should be expected against Cover 1 or Cover 0 shells. Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells with disciplined linebacker eyes on the mesh point shut this play down, forcing the offense into the give with limited explosive upside.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check the box count and linebacker depth to confirm the run side has a numbers advantage before committing to the give read.
If the defense shows a two high shell with light box numbers, key the peek read immediately since linebackers will likely flow hard to stop inside zone.
Use the hot route menu to adjust the peek receiver into a deeper crossing route against teams that sit their linebackers in shallow zone drops to bait the RPO.
This play pairs well with Inside Zone and Read Option in the same set, since all three threaten the same run gap and force defenders to hesitate on their fit.
Save RPO Zone Peek for second and short or first and ten situations where defenses are willing to load the box, since that hesitation is exactly what creates the peek window.
Avoid forcing the peek throw into man coverage with an underneath defender sitting in the throwing lane, take the give instead and let the run blocking work.
