Playbooks

RPO Read Screen

Shotgun·Spread Flex·11

Screen Pass RPO Pass Play Run Play Bubble Screen

Play diagram for RPO Read Screen from Shotgun Spread Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSpread Flex

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 2 playbooks

Franchise College Spread OffenseOffense Balanced Pass OffenseOffense

Breakdown

RPO Read Screen out of Shotgun Spread Flex is a run pass option built around a bubble screen to the boundary WR paired with an inside zone handoff look. The diagram shows the left slot WR running a short shuffle screen route while the backside WR runs a slant crosser to hold defenders, and the QB reads the alignment of the flat defender or overhang before deciding to pull and throw or hand off the run. This is a zone beater at its core, since it attacks light box counts and undisciplined flat defenders who crash down on run action, with the primary read progression being box count first, then flat defender leverage on the screen side.

Defensive Reads

Watch the flat defender or slot cornerback pre-snap, if he is aligned with outside leverage and shows zone drop intent the screen is there for the QB to exploit. Key the linebacker depth at the snap, if linebackers flow hard downhill on run action without reading the screen the offense gets an easy pitch and catch. Look for a user controlled defender sitting in a lurk spot near the screen side, a smart user can jump the route and blow up the play for a big loss. Identify if the defense is in a run blitz or gap exchange front, since these fronts often leave the screen wide open behind the rush. Check for Cover 2 or Cover 3 shells with the corner staying deep, this alignment can make the box count look light and bait the QB into a bad screen read against a disciplined underneath defender.

Usage Tips

Check the defender count in the box before the snap, if there are six or fewer defenders in the box take the handoff every time. If the slot cornerback or overhang defender is sitting flat footed or bailing into a deep zone, pull the ball and throw the bubble screen immediately since he cannot get depth to defend it. Use this play on early downs like first and second and ten to keep defenses honest and force them to respect both the run and the screen. Pair this call with Inside Zone and HB Draw earlier in a series so the defense starts crashing the box, then hit them with the screen read when they overcommit. Avoid calling this into aggressive man blitz packages since the screen blocker numbers get overwhelmed quickly, save it for base zone or two high shells.