Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Zone Alert Screen pairs an inside zone run scheme with a bubble or alert screen conflict read tied to the flat defender, giving the quarterback a true run/pass conflict based on numbers to the screen side. If the alert defender (usually the flat corner or overhang linebacker) crashes down on the zone run, the QB pulls and throws the quick screen for a numbers advantage on the perimeter. This is an RPO built to punish aggressive run fits and light box counts, with inside zone blocking up front creating a natural play-action feel even though it is a pre-snap or post-snap decision, not a designed rollout.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a hard crash from the flat corner or slot defender, that is the trigger to pull and throw the screen for an easy explosive gain Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with an aggressive overhang defender are the most vulnerable since the flat is left uncovered when he fills the run fit Man coverage with blitz packages can be deadly to this play if a defender is spying the screen or if a user controlled linebacker sits back reading the quarterback's eyes Look for teams that widen a defensive end or slot corner as a designated scrape player, since disciplined defenders who stay home on the screen force you to live with the inside zone run Heavy blitz looks with six or seven man pressure can jump the screen fast if the user recognizes the RPO tag, so double check leverage on the flat defender before committing to the pull read
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and if there are 6 or fewer defenders in the box, lean toward pulling and throwing the screen immediately off the snap
Identify the flat defender or overhang player pre-snap since that is the true alert key for this RPO, if he sits deep or blitzes the screen is wide open
Use this play on early downs like first and ten to stay ahead of the chains, since a blown up run still nets positive yards if the screen hits
Combine this with RPO Zone Peek and RPO Alert Screen in the same set to keep defenders honest, alternating between the run keep and the screen pull so linebackers cannot sit on one read
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick slant or hitch if the defense shows heavy screen awareness, giving yourself a third option beyond the zone and the bubble
