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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
RPO Alert Cntr Screen is a run pass option built off a counter run scheme, giving the quarterback the ability to either hand the ball off or pull and throw a screen based on the pre-snap and post-snap read. The offensive line pulls to execute counter blocking to the play side while the running back releases as a screen outlet, with a single receiver running a vertical clear out route on the outside and a lone wide out on the backside stemming inside to occupy space underneath. This is a zone beater at its core, since the alert mechanic lets the quarterback throw the screen the instant he reads flowing linebackers or an overplayed run front, punishing aggressive zone defenders who crash downhill.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers cheating downhill pre-snap, that flow triggers the alert read and tells the quarterback to throw the screen instantly. Look for a defensive end or edge defender staying home instead of crashing on the counter action, since that player can jump the screen lane and blow up the play before it forms. Man coverage on the vertical clear out route usually means the defense is playing base run support, which favors handing the ball off on the counter. Zone shells with linebackers sinking into passing lanes instead of reading run action shut down the screen option and force the offense into the run fit. A scrape exchange or contain defender staying disciplined on the edge is the biggest counter to this play, since it eliminates both the counter cutback lane and the screen throwing lane simultaneously.
Usage Tips
Check the alignment of the linebackers before the snap, if they are stacked tight to the box or showing run blitz keys, pull the ball immediately for the screen instead of handing it off. Use the vertical clear out route to occupy the deep defender on that side, which opens up extra grass for the screen to develop. Run this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage situations, since defenses are more likely to sell out against the counter run look. Pair this play with RPO Cntr Alert Screen and RPO Read WR Screen in your play calling sequence so the defense cannot key on the counter action or the bubble screen tendency. Avoid throwing the screen into a hard scrape exchange look, since a disciplined defensive end sitting on the edge can blow up the screen before it develops.
