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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
RPO Power Peek pairs a Power run scheme with a peek route on the backside, giving the quarterback a pre-snap and post-snap conflict read on a single defender, usually the alley or box defender. The offensive line pulls the guard for a Power blocking scheme with a lead blocker into the hole, while the tagged receiver runs a quick peek route (a quick out or hitch) that the quarterback can throw off the read key if that defender crashes down on the run. This is an RPO built as a run beater against light boxes and a quick throw against aggressive run fits, with the primary read being the alley defender or force player: if he steps up to fill the run lane, pull and throw the peek immediately.
Defensive Reads
Identify the alley or force defender before the snap, since his run fit alignment determines whether you should key the run or key the throw. Watch for a Sam linebacker or slot defender sitting in a hard flat zone, since that alignment shuts down the peek throw and forces you to stay on the ground with Power. Against man coverage with the peek defender playing outside leverage, the quick peek throw wins easily because there is no help underneath. Be wary of a disguised blitz where the alley defender crashes hard immediately after the snap, since that same crash key that opens the peek throw can also mean a fast linebacker blitz if the offensive line does not account for it. If the defense shows two deep safeties with linebackers stacked tight to the box, expect the peek defender to sit and read the quarterback's eyes, so use eye manipulation before triggering the throw.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, count the box defenders and identify if the defense is in a 6 or 7 man front, since a light box tells you to lean run while a stacked box tells you to snap and peek immediately.
Use the right stick to manually read the alley defender if you are uncomfortable trusting the RPO key indicator, since some user defenders will bait the run look before jumping the throwing window.
This play works best on run downs like 2nd or 3rd and short, where defenses are more likely to sell out against Power and open up the peek throw.
Sequence this play with RPO Peek Slant and RPO Glance Post from the same set so the defense cannot sit on one specific RPO tag, forcing linebackers to hesitate on every snap.
If the defense shows heavy zone drops with a deep half safety cheating down, abort the peek read and trust the run fit since the numbers favor Power up front.
