Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Cntr Alert Screen is a run pass option out of Shotgun Open Flex that pairs an inside counter run with an alert screen to the running back, giving the quarterback a true pre-snap and post-snap decision point based on numbers in the box. The blocking scheme pulls the backside guard on the counter action while the offensive line sets up screen blocking to the flat if the quarterback pulls the ball, making this a solid answer against both light boxes and overaggressive edge pressure. The primary read progression starts with the count of defenders in the box: if the box is light, hand off the counter, if defenders crash hard or blitz off the edge, pull and throw the screen to the alert side.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers stepping up hard at the snap since that flow confirms the counter run should be pulled in favor of the screen Identify blitz packages with edge defenders crashing inside since this leaves the perimeter open for the screen to hit in space Read safety alignment before the snap, a safety cheating into the box signals run support that favors throwing the screen instead On the defensive side, spy the running back out of the backfield with a linebacker or user the flat defender to jump the screen route and blow up the play design Man coverage with tight man-to-man on the outside can still get beat by the screen if the flat defender bites on the counter action, so user defenders need to stay disciplined and read backfield flow before committing
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and count defenders inside the tackles to decide between handoff and screen read
Use this against defenses that show blitz or bring extra defenders into the box since the screen naturally punishes overpursuit
Pair this with RPO Alert Cntr Screen and RPO Read WR Screen in the same drive to condition the defense to sit on run fits, then hit the screen when linebackers crash
Stick to early down and distance situations like first and second down when defenses are more likely to load the box against your run tendencies
If the defense shows a clear zone shell with linebackers sitting deep, trust the counter run since the screen lane may get clogged by shallow zone defenders
