Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| WR3 | Left | Run Block |
| WR2 | Left | Bubble Screen |
| WR1 | Right | Run Block |
| TE1 | Right | Run Block |
RPO Power Alert Screen is a true run-pass option built off a Power run concept out of Shotgun Stack HB WK with 11 personnel. The offensive line and fullback (or extra blocker) execute Power blocking downhill while the alert screen releases a receiver or back to the flat with blockers setting up in front, giving the quarterback a pre-determined key defender to read. The primary progression is simple: identify the alert key (usually a flowing linebacker or overhang defender), hand off to Power if he crashes down inside, or pull and throw the screen if he flows outside or drops into coverage. This play is designed as both a downhill run beater against light boxes and a zone/blitz beater against defenses that fly hard to stop the run.
Watch the second level linebacker depth presnap, if they are stacked tight to the line expect them to crash on Power, making the screen the better answer. Check safety alignment for two-high shells, since split safeties often signal lighter boxes and favor the run side of the RPO. Identify man versus zone by watching corner leverage on the screen side receiver, tight man coverage can jump the screen route if the user reads it quickly. Look for a lurking user linebacker sitting in the throwing lane to the screen, that defender can bait a bad read and blow up the play for a loss. On the run side, key any unblocked edge defender crashing hard, this is the exact trigger the RPO logic uses to bail into the screen, so mirror that same read as the offense to stay ahead of the defense.
Presnap, count the box defenders and identify the alert key defender before the snap since the whole play lives and dies on that read. If the defense shows six or more in the box or a linebacker cheating toward the mesh point, lean toward pulling the screen instead of forcing the handoff. Use this play on early downs in run-heavy personnel counts to punish teams that stack the box against Shotgun Stack HB WK looks. Pair it with RPO Zone Alert Screen in the same set so defenses cannot sit on one blocking scheme, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their run fits. Against aggressive user blitzers who key the mesh point animation, snap the ball quickly and trust the screen read since their aggression opens the perimeter. Mix in Mtn Outside Zone and Toss Wk from this set to keep defenders guessing between inside and outside run action, making the alert key harder to diagnose.