Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Alert WR Screens is an RPO out of the Shotgun Spread 10 personnel look, giving the QB a run/pass alert read tied to the box count. The diagram shows the inside run action bending toward the left slot area while the QB reads a bubble style WR screen concept, with the outside receivers on both the left and right running vertical stalk blocking routes to spring the perimeter screen. The primary read progression starts with the QB counting defenders in the box: if the count favors the run, hand it off, if defenders crash down or a slot defender widens late, pull and throw the quick screen to the slot man.
Defensive Reads
Watch the slot cornerback or nickel defender pre-snap, if he is aligned soft or bailing at the snap the screen lane opens up for an easy pitch and catch. Key the play side linebacker depth, a linebacker sitting shallow or crashing hard on run action confirms the QB should pull and throw the bubble screen. Man coverage with the slot defender locked tight to the receiver at the snap is the best way to blow up the screen since he can immediately close the throwing window. Look for a sim pressure or nano blitz off the edge, since the stalk blockers on the perimeter routes will not pick up an extra rusher and can force a quick, rushed decision from the QB. Zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 that keep the slot defender at a cushion tend to open the run lane since the RPO conflict defender is occupied reading pass first.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and identify whether the defense is showing run fits or spread out in a nickel/dime shell.
If the slot defender over your screen target is playing tight or aggressively crashing downhill on run action, pull the ball immediately and throw the screen before the flow of the defense can redirect.
Use hot routes sparingly here since the alert design is built to punish overcommitted run defense, so trust the pre-snap alert key rather than manually adjusting routes.
Pair this call with Inside Zone and HB Cross Screen in your play-calling sequence so the defense cannot key on the run action or the bubble concept specifically.
Best used on early downs (1st and 2nd and short to medium) when defenses are more likely to load the box against 10 personnel, giving you a favorable RPO conflict for the perimeter defender.
