Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Read Y Flat is an RPO out of Shotgun Open Flex 11 personnel that reads the flat defender to decide between handing off and throwing the quick flat route. The Y (TE) runs a shallow flat route from the backfield area to the boundary while the outside receiver runs a deep dig or crossing route toward the opposite side, and the offensive line executes zone run blocking on the handoff to the HB. The primary read progression is the run key at the second level: if the flat defender or force player crashes down to fill the run lane, pull the ball and hit the Y in the flat, otherwise hand off and let the run develop behind the zone blocking scheme.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender's depth and leverage before the snap, if he is aligned tight to the line of scrimmage he is likely selling run support and vulnerable to the Y flat throw. Man coverage on the Y with no underneath help is an automatic green light for the flat route since there is no natural zone defender sitting in the throwing lane. Cover 2 or Cover 3 shells with a hard corner sitting outside can squeeze the flat route, forcing the quarterback to trust the run more often in that structure. Post snap, key the mike linebacker's first two steps, if he crashes toward the line to fill run gaps the flat is wide open behind him. Disguised blitzes with a linebacker showing run fit late can bait the quarterback into a bad handoff read, so defenses that delay their blitz timing can bracket both options.
Usage Tips
Pre snap identify the alignment of the flat defender or slot corner responsible for the Y route, since this play lives and dies off that key.
If the linebacker or nickel is sitting inside at the snap, pull and throw the flat route immediately before the defender can recover.
Use this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage where defenses are more likely to load the box and leave the flat exposed.
Pair this with RPO Alert Cntr Screen or RPO Read WR Screen in the same play calling sequence so defenses cannot key on one RPO look and start jumping the flat route.
Against aggressive user blitzers, trust the run since the RPO mesh point forces defenders to choose and creates natural running lanes when they bite on the pass key.
