RPO Read Screen

Watch the slot cornerback or nickel defender pre-snap, if he is playing tight to the screen receiver with outside leverage he can jump the throw and blow it up for a loss. Key the play side linebacker's first step after the snap, aggressive downhill flow into the run gap is exactly what triggers the QB to pull and throw the screen. Zone shells like Cover 3 and Cover 2 that ask the corner to sink into a deep third or half tend to open up the screen lane since nobody is sitting flat. Man coverage with a physical corner pressing the screen receiver at the line can disrupt the timing and force a bad pitch or forced handoff into a stacked box. User controlled defenders who stay patient at the second level instead of biting on the zone run action are the best defense against this RPO, since it removes the free access for the screen blockers.