Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 15 playbooks
Breakdown
RPO Zone Peek out of Shotgun Spread Y-Slot Wk is a true run-pass option that puts an inside zone run behind a peek route from the slot, letting you attack light boxes and soft coverage with one pre-snap decision. The offensive line executes inside zone blocking while the running back reads the natural cutback lanes, and the quarterback peeks at the slot defender to decide whether to hand off or throw the peek route on the RPO tag. This play is a zone beater against light boxes and off coverage, since a hard crash from linebackers on the run action opens the peek window immediately, and the primary read progression is: identify the box count, key the second level defender assigned to the peek route, then either pull and throw or trust the handoff.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, count the box: six or fewer defenders means the offense has a numbers advantage on inside zone, so sell the run fake hard if you are on defense to freeze the quarterback. Identify the defender assigned to the slot receiver running the peek route, since that player's reaction to run action determines whether the RPO throw is live or covered. Man coverage on the slot with a defender playing tight leverage is the best way to shut down the peek throw, forcing the quarterback into the handoff read. Watch for late-rotating safeties or a user-controlled lurk defender sitting on short crossing routes, since that can jump the peek route if the quarterback stares it down. Zone coverage shells with linebackers sitting in their run fits without over-pursuing take away both the cutback lane and the peek window, effectively neutralizing the entire concept.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and if there are six or fewer defenders in the box, lean toward keeping the ball on the ground since the numbers favor inside zone.
Watch the slot defender at the snap: if he steps up to fill the run fit or bites on run action, immediately pull and fire the peek route before he can recover.
Use this play on early downs in normal or base personnel sets to keep defenses honest, since the dual threat forces linebackers to respect both the run and the quick pass.
Pair this call with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Read Bubble later in a series so the defense has to guess between multiple peek and bubble concepts off similar run action.
Avoid this play against heavy blitz packages that send extra defenders into the box pre-snap, since the peek window closes fast and the running lanes get clogged.
