Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Orbit RPO Alert Swing is an RPO out of Shotgun Normal Y Off with 11 personnel that pairs an inside zone run look with a run pass option read on the backside. The diagram shows the HB running an orbit motion swing route out to the flat while a second underneath route breaks back inside toward the mesh point, giving the quarterback a give, keep, or throw decision based on the second level defender's fill. The primary read progression is the run fit first: if the alert defender crashes down on the run, pull and hit the swing route to the flat for space, otherwise hand it off into the zone scheme.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender and outside linebacker at the snap since their reaction to the orbit motion tells you run or pass. This play beats aggressive man coverage and downhill run blitzing linebackers because the swing route exploits vacated flat zones. Zone defenses with a disciplined curl flat player can shut this down by staying home and not biting on the run fake. Post snap, look for a user controlled defender lurking underneath in the flat since that is the primary counter to the swing route. If the safety rotates down hard before the snap, expect a heavier box and lean toward pulling the ball for the RPO throw instead of the handoff.
Usage Tips
Check the box or overhang defender pre snap before the snap to decide if you are running the RPO alert or a pure handoff.
If the defense shows a hard downhill linebacker or safety in run support, pull the ball immediately and throw the swing route to the flat before the defender can recover.
Use this play on early downs or short yardage to stay ahead of the chains since it gives you a low risk run with a built in answer to aggressive run blitzes.
Pair this call with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Zone Peek from the same set so the defense cannot key on the swing look every snap.
Against overly aggressive defenses that crash the box on motion, sequence this play with HB Slip Screen or HB Swing later in the drive to punish the same tendency.
