Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Zone Peek out of Shotgun Spread Dbl Flex is a true run pass option that layers an inside zone run scheme with a quick peek route for the quarterback to read on the move. The offensive line executes zone blocking to the play side while a receiver runs a hitch or slant style peek route that the QB can hit if the read defender crashes down on the run action. Your primary read progression starts with the alert defender (usually a linebacker or slot corner sitting over the peek route), if he steps up to fill the run lane you pull and throw the peek, if he sits or bails into coverage you hand the ball off and let the zone run develop.
Defensive Reads
Watch the alert defender pre-snap, if a linebacker or slot corner is shaded tight to the box and shows run fit leverage, expect him to crash and open the peek throw Two high safety shells with soft zone drops from the second level defender tend to shut down the peek route since that defender can sit and read the QB's eyes Man coverage with no help over the peek receiver is the easiest shell to exploit, especially if the corner or nickel is playing outside leverage User controlled defenders who sit in a lurk spot near the peek route timing window can bait the QB into a turnover, so respect any defender who freezes instead of committing to run or pass Blitz packages that send extra defenders off the edge or through the A gap almost always trigger the peek throw since the alert defender is forced to account for the run first
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs like first and second and short to medium yardage situations where defenses are still guessing run or pass
Pre-snap, identify the alert defender assigned to the peek side and check if the defense is showing base zone coverage or an overloaded box, a light box with two high safeties favors the run while a stacked box favors the peek throw
Hot route the peek receiver into a quick out or speed slant if you are facing aggressive slot corners who jump routes, this gives you a sharper angle away from user lurk defenders
Pair this play with Inside Zone and HB Sweep in your call sheet to keep the defense honest on the ground, then mix in RPO Peek Slant or RPO Alert Z Screen from the same formation to stress the same alert defender with different answers
Against blitz heavy defenses, snap the ball quickly and trust the peek read since blitzing linebackers almost always crash the run fit and open the throwing window instantly
