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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
RPO Alert Out is a run-pass option out of Shotgun Normal Y Off Close that gives the quarterback a pre-snap and post-snap alert to throw an out route to the outside receiver, marked in red running vertical then breaking hard to the sideline. The backfield shows an inside run action with the running back crossing the formation while two receivers on the left run vertical stem and quick in-cut routes as run-blocking or hitch options. The primary read is the alert receiver on the out route: if the flat defender or corner sits inside or bites on the run fake, pull and throw the out immediately, otherwise hand off the ball on the designed run scheme.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender or corner pre-snap, if he is playing tight man or aggressive zone with no cushion, the out route is tougher to fit and you may want to check to the run. Key the second level defender assigned to the run fit, quick RPO alerts like this exploit linebackers who step up immediately on the run action. Zone coverage with a hard-flat defender sitting at 5 yards can undercut the out route, so look for that defender's depth before committing to the pass side. Man coverage on the outside receiver with no safety help over the top is the ideal shell to beat, since the out route creates instant separation off the break. Beware user-controlled defenders sitting the flat or spying the run mesh, this play is vulnerable to a defender who reads the RPO tells and jumps the throwing lane.
Usage Tips
Check the alignment of the flat corner and slot defender before the snap to decide if you are keying run or pass off the alert.
Use the RPO key defender (usually the overhang or nickel) as your trigger, if he crashes down on the run gap, throw the out route immediately for an easy pitch and catch.
Hot route the out receiver to a deeper comeback against teams that sit their corners at 7 to 9 yards, this keeps the sideline throw available even against off coverage.
Pair this play with RPO Peek Spot or RPO Glance Post from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick outside throws and inside window shots.
Best used on early downs or 2nd and short, since the run action stays credible and forces linebackers to respect the mesh point before the out route opens.
