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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
RPO Peek Spot is a run pass option built off the spot concept out of Shotgun Normal Y Off Close with 11 personnel. Pre snap the offense shows an inside run look to the backfield while the outside receiver runs a vertical route up the numbers, the slot receiver works a short hitch or peek route in the flat area, and the TE/H-back releases into a corner route breaking away from the formation over the shallow route. The RPO read keys the flowing linebacker: if he steps up to fill the run gap, the QB peeks outside to the hitch/corner combo for an easy pitch and catch, making this a solid zone beater against Cover 3 and Cover 2 shells that leave the flat vacated.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flowing linebacker at the snap, if he crashes down hard on the run fake the peek route window opens instantly in the flat Identify single high versus two high safety alignment pre snap, single high Cover 3 leaves the flat and hitch area exposed which is exactly what this concept attacks Look for a cornerback playing outside leverage on the vertical route, that alignment signals off coverage or Cover 3 and tells the QB to trust the peek throw over the top read Post snap track any user controlled defender sitting in a shallow zone or lurking near the peek route, a smart user can jump this route and bait a turnover if the QB stares it down Against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with disciplined linebackers who neither bite on the run nor abandon the flat, this play loses its RPO advantage and the offense should reset to a different concept in the set
Usage Tips
Check the second level defender assigned to the run fit before the snap, if he is sitting flat footed in the box you have a green light to throw the peek route immediately off the snap
Use this on early downs like first and second and ten to keep the defense honest, since the run element punishes overaggressive linebackers and the pass element punishes soft zone drops
Hot route the corner route runner into a quicker out if you see a cornerback sitting on top expecting the vertical, this turns a Cover 3 beater into a quick game answer versus Cover 4 as well
Pair this call with RPO Peek Stick and RPO Zone Peek Glance in the same set so the defense sees identical backfield action but different route stems, this keeps linebackers guessing on run fits
Against known blitz teams call this on early downs and trust the quick peek throw to erase the blitz before it develops, since the ball comes out fast off the mesh point
