Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Zone Alert is a run pass option out of Shotgun Normal Off Close Wk with 11 personnel that pairs an inside zone run look with a two man passing alert to the closed side. The backside receiver runs a vertical seam while the inline tight end runs a quick pivot/hitch back to the quarterback as an immediate throw option, and the outside receiver on the open side runs a stick and go up the boundary as a alert win route. The read progression starts with the box count on the zone run, then to the tight end hitch as the hot key throw, and finally the vertical seam or boundary alert if the defense sells out on the run.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a linebacker cheating toward the line of scrimmage pre snap, that tips run support and opens the tight end hitch or the vertical seam behind him. Man coverage on the backside seam route with no safety help over the top is a green light to throw off the run fake for a big gain. Zone shells with the flat defender sinking under the tight end hitch will take away the quick RPO throw and force the offense into the actual run. Blitz packages that bring extra defenders off the edge can outnumber the zone run blocking, so identify unblocked rushers before deciding whether to hand off. A single high safety who stays deep post snap signals man or Cover 3 underneath, which favors the hitch and seam combo over trying to run into a loaded box.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and let the number of defenders in the box dictate whether you pull the ball or hand it off.
Use the tight end hitch as your rhythm throw against teams that crash linebackers downhill on run fakes.
If the safety cheats down pre snap to add a run defender, key the vertical seam route for an explosive play over the top.
Pair this with RPO Peek Slant and RPO Alert Bubble in the same set so defenses cannot sit on one RPO key and you can attack whichever side they leave light.
Best used on early downs in the run and pass mix, especially first and second and short to medium, where defenses are more willing to load the box.
