Playbooks

RPO Zone Alert

Shotgun·Flex Y Off Close·11
RPOPass PlayRun Play

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 5 playbooks

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Breakdown

RPO Zone Alert is a run pass option out of the Flex Y Off Close set in Shotgun 11 personnel that pairs an inside zone run scheme with a quick alert route package attached to the backside. The quarterback reads the flow of the second level defenders, typically the play side linebacker or nickel, to decide between handing off the zone run or pulling and throwing the alert route. This play functions as a zone beater against light boxes and soft coverage shells since the RPO mesh forces linebackers to choose between filling the run gap or covering the flat and slot alert routes.

Defensive Reads

Watch the play side linebacker and nickel defender at the snap since their reaction to the run fake determines whether the throw window opens A hard crash from the linebacker into the run fit means the alert route is open behind him, so the quarterback should pull and throw immediately If the defense sits back in a zone shell with linebackers staying square and reading the mesh point, this play struggles and the offense should take the run instead Man coverage with press corners on the outside can still be attacked through the run since the RPO route is secondary in that shell User controlled defenders sitting the slot alert route or spying the quarterback's eyes will erase the pass option, so switch to the zone run read in that situation Watch for a hard inside blitz off the edge since that pressure can beat both the run fit and the quarterback's ability to read and throw in time

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap and if you see six or fewer defenders in the box favor pulling and throwing the RPO route instead of forcing the handoff into a stacked front

Use this play on early downs like first and second and short to medium yardage situations since the run threat keeps linebackers honest and opens the RPO window

If the defense shows two high safeties with a light box, the run read is live so trust the zone scheme and let your back work through his aiming point

Against man coverage looks pre snap, hot route the slot receiver into a quick out or speed out to give the quarterback a rhythm throw beater instead of relying on the built in alert

Pair this play with Inside Zone and Counter Y in the same set to keep the defense guessing between straight run calls and RPO looks, then hit Curl Ohio or Levels Mills later in the drive once linebackers start sitting on the run fake

Other Plays in Flex Y Off Close