Playbooks

Mtn RPO Read Flat

Shotgun·Tight Open·11
RPOFlatMotionPass PlayRun Play
Play diagram for Mtn RPO Read Flat from Shotgun Tight Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Mtn RPO Read Flat is an RPO out of Shotgun Tight Open with 11 personnel that gives the QB a true run/pass read at the mesh point. The offensive line executes an inside zone blocking scheme to the play side while the backside receiver runs a shallow flat route as the built in pass option. This is a run first RPO designed to punish light boxes: if the alpha defender (usually a linebacker or slot corner) sits on the flat route or crashes down on the run fit, the QB pulls and throws hot to the flat for an easy conversion. Primary read progression is box count first (hand off or pull), then the flat defender if you pull, making this a zone and light box beater rather than a designed man beater.

Defensive Reads

Key the alpha defender assigned to the flat, if he stays home and take away the pass the run should already be hot behind him. Watch linebacker depth before the snap, shallow linebackers crashing downhill on run action are the defenders this play is designed to exploit with the flat throw. Against man coverage with no underneath flat defender, the run read becomes the stronger option since the flat throw has no natural conflict defender. Zone blitzes that send extra rushers while dropping a corner or safety into the flat area can shut this down by taking away both options at once. If the defense shows two deep safeties with linebackers staying disciplined in their run fits, expect the flat to be the higher percentage read since the box is not overloaded.

Usage Tips

Check the box count pre snap and count defenders in the tackle box against your blockers before the snap to decide if you are running or throwing.

Use this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short since the run action stays live and defenses have to respect the zone scheme.

If the defense shows a walked up alpha defender near the flat, feed the run since that defender is now in conflict and out of the run fit.

Hot route the flat receiver to a quick out or speed out against aggressive zone drops to widen the throwing window if the corner sits deep.

Pair this call with Inside Zone or HB Mid Zone earlier in a series so the RPO look mirrors your base run action and keeps second level defenders honest.

Other Plays in Tight Open