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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
RPO Alert Out is an inside zone RPO out of Shotgun Tight Y Off with 11 personnel, giving the quarterback a run/pass alert based on the read defender. The offensive line executes an inside zone blocking scheme while the outfitted receiver runs an out route breaking hard toward the sideline, with an inside receiver running a short flat/angle route underneath as a secondary flare option. The primary read progression starts with the alert defender (usually an overhang linebacker or slot corner): if he crashes down to fill the run lane, the quarterback pulls and fires the out route into the void; if he sits or drops to cover the out, the quarterback hands off or reads inside zone.
Defensive Reads
Key the alert defender, typically a slot corner or overhang linebacker, since his run/pass conflict decision dictates whether the quarterback pulls or hands off. Man coverage with the corner playing outside leverage on the receiver running the out is vulnerable, since the route breaks away from that leverage. Zone coverage with a defender sinking into the flat and getting immediate width can undercut the out route and force the quarterback to check it down or stick with the run. Watch for a blitzing linebacker off the edge on the side of the out route, since that defender clogs the throwing lane and rushes the quarterback's decision. User controlled defenders who bait the quarterback by sitting still before jumping the out route late can bait a turnover, so avoid predetermined throws and read the alert defender through his actual movement, not his alignment.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is in a two-high or one-high shell to determine if the overhang defender will be lighter in the box and more likely to trigger downhill on run action.
Use this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short to keep the defense honest and force linebackers to respect both the run and the quick out throw.
If the defense shows a hard blitz off the edge where the out route is hitting, hot route the flat receiver to a quick swing or check the run to attack the vacated alley.
Pair this with RPO Peek Slant and RPO Zone Peek from the same set so the defense cannot sit on the out route tendency, alternating alert reads to keep second level defenders guessing.
Against man coverage, look to pull and throw the out since it creates natural separation on out breaking routes versus trail technique corners and nickel backs.
