Playbooks

Return RPO Zone Alert

Shotgun·Flex Y Off Close·11

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Return RPO Zone Alert is a run pass option built out of the Shotgun Flex Y Off Close set that gives the quarterback a give or throw decision based on the second level defenders reaction to the run action. The inside zone blocking up front stresses the front seven while the alert route pulls a defender out of the box, creating a numbers advantage either on the ground or through the air. Your primary read starts with the play side linebacker or overhang defender: if he crashes down on the zone run, pull it and hit the alert route in the vacated zone, and if he sits or drops into coverage, hand the ball off and let the zone scheme work.

Defensive Reads

Read the play side linebacker depth pre-snap, since a linebacker sitting at five yards or deeper signals he is keying the RPO and will likely take away the alert throw Look for safety rotation to the run action side, which tells you the defense has a designated run support defender ready to crash the mesh point Watch for a user controlled defender spying the quarterbacks eyes rather than reacting to the zone flow, since this beats the RPO read entirely and forces a difficult decision This play struggles against a stacked front with an extra defender in the box and a linebacker staying disciplined in his zone drop, since neither the run nor the alert throw has room Man coverage with tight underneath defenders on the alert route shuts down the pass option, so favor the handoff read when you see man leverage and no cushion on the slot or tight end

Usage Tips

Check the box count pre-snap and only trust the RPO read if you have a light box with six or fewer defenders in the run fit

Use the right stick to manually key the flow of the alert defender before committing to the give or the throw, since the CPU logic can bait you into a bad handoff against stacked fronts

This play pairs well with Inside Zone from the same set since the run action looks identical, forcing linebackers to freeze and second guess their fit on every snap

Call this on early downs in run heavy personnel to keep defenses honest, then sequence into RPO Read Out or Curl Ohio once the defense starts crashing hard to sell the run

Against aggressive user blitzers who abandon coverage responsibilities, snap it quickly and take the alert throw before the pressure disrupts your mesh point timing

Other Plays in Flex Y Off Close