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 Zone Alert Screen combines an inside zone run read with an alert screen to the HB, giving the offense a built-in answer to overly aggressive fronts. The zone blocking scheme flows to the play side while the alert screen releases outside as a bailout against edge pressure or a crashing defensive end. Your primary read starts with the defensive line and second level flow: if the box is heavy and linebackers crash downhill on the zone action, pull the trigger on the screen alert. If the front stays honest or defenders sit, hand it off and let your zone run hit downhill. This is a true RPO built to punish overpursuit, functioning as both a run play and a zone beating screen concept in one snap.
Watch for a crashing or slanting defensive end on the play side since that alignment signals an easy pull to the screen. Check linebacker depth before the snap, stacked linebackers sitting tight to the box usually mean they will flow hard to zone action and vacate the screen lane. Identify if the defense is running a zone blitz or nano blitz package, since those aggressive calls open up massive alert screen lanes but can also disrupt the mesh point before the RPO decision is made. Look for a user controlled defender spying the running back or sitting at the second level reading the quarterback's eyes, since that defender can jump the screen and blow up the play. Man coverage with press corners at the line generally favors handing off since the underneath defenders are occupied and unable to key the ball carrier's release into the screen.
Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the linebacker depth to gauge whether they are sitting in run fits or cheating toward pass drops before deciding your shotgun run vs screen intention. This play thrives on early down and medium distance, especially 2nd and short to medium, where defenses are more likely to sell out against the run. If you see a defensive end crashing hard inside or a linebacker blitzing off the edge, key the screen side immediately since that defender is taking himself out of the screen lane. Pair this with Mtn Outside Zone or Toss Wk earlier in a series to condition the defense to respect zone run action, which sets up bigger RPO Zone Alert Screen explosions later. Avoid calling this against defenses that consistently play contain with disciplined ends, since those defenders sit on the screen and blow it up before it develops.