Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Alert WR Screens is an RPO out of Shotgun Normal Flex Snug that reads the box while giving you dual perimeter screen options. The diagram shows the left outside receiver running a quick screen route away from the formation, while the running back runs a swing/flare route to the right side toward the flanker who releases outside, with the offensive line stepping into a run block set for the RPO handoff read. The primary read progression is box count first: if the defense loads the box, pull and throw to either screen based on which corner or flat defender bites hardest, otherwise hand the ball off for the run.
Defensive Reads
Watch pre-snap safety depth, if both safeties are shaded deep and the box is light, take the automatic handoff since the numbers favor the run. Key the flat defenders on both sides post-snap, if they crash inside on run fake the screens will have running room outside. Man coverage with press corners can be vulnerable since the screen blockers get a free release angle on the flat defenders once they commit outside. Zone shells with disciplined cornerbacks sitting on flat routes are the best counter, since they can jump the screen before the blockers set up. Watch for user-controlled linebackers spying the RPO mesh point, aggressive user blitzers up the middle can blow up the handoff before the screen develops.
Usage Tips
Check the defender count in the box before the snap, if it is six or more defenders stacked inside you should be pulling to throw the screen instead of handing off.
Use the right side WR screen against teams that flow hard to the run since the outside corner and flat defender often bite on the run fake, opening the perimeter.
Hot route the backside screen receiver to adjust his release angle if you see a corner sitting hard outside to jump the screen.
This play pairs well with 45 Quick Base and Inside Zone in the same set, running those first to condition the defense to respect the run before hitting them with the RPO Alert WR Screens.
Best used on early downs, first and second and short to medium yardage, when defenses are more likely to sell out against the run and leave numbers light on the perimeter.
