Playbooks

RPO Zone Peek

Shotgun·Spread Dbl Flex·11
RPOPass PlayRun Play

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

RPO Zone Peek out of Spread Dbl Flex is a true run pass option built on an inside zone blocking scheme with a peek route tagged to a slot receiver or tight end. The quarterback's primary read is the second level defender (usually the play side linebacker or overhang defender), reading whether he crashes down on the zone run or widens to defend the peek route before deciding to hand off or pull and throw. This play is a zone beater by design since it punishes linebackers who bite on run action, but it also gives you an answer versus aggressive man pressure looks if the peek route wins immediately off the line.

Defensive Reads

Watch the play side linebacker depth and width before the snap since a linebacker sitting too shallow signals he is keying run and will vacate space for the peek route. Check for a robber or spy defender lurking in the middle of the field since a smart user controlled defender can jump the peek throw if you telegraph it too early. Man coverage with no safety help over the peek receiver is a green light to throw since the RPO concept isolates that defender in space. A hard crashing defensive end or edge blitzer can disrupt the mesh point and force a bad handoff read, so respect fast pressure off the edge on third and long situations. Tight zone shells with linebackers sitting at depth and refusing to bite on the run fake will shut down the peek window, so be ready to trust the run element instead of forcing the throw.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the box count to confirm whether the defense is in a run friendly light box or a pass heavy shell before the snap.

If you see two high safeties with linebackers sitting at normal depth, that is your green light to trust the zone run since the peek defender will likely be occupied.

Hot route the peek receiver into a quick out or speed out if you are facing man coverage with no immediate flow to that side, giving you a faster access throw.

This play works best on early downs like first and second and short to medium yardage situations where defenses are still respecting the run.

Pair this with Read Option and Inside Zone earlier in a drive so the defense keys run action, then dial up RPO Peek Slant or PA Read later to attack overcommitted linebackers with a similar shell look.

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