Playbooks

RPO Zone Alert Omaha

Shotgun·Tight Y Off·11
RPOPass PlayRun Play

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

Bengals OffenseOffenseNFL Live Bengals OffenseOffense

Breakdown

RPO Zone Alert Omaha is a true run pass option out of Shotgun Tight Y Off, giving the quarterback a pre and post snap decision between an inside zone run and a quick alert throw to the perimeter. The blocking scheme is inside zone with the offensive line stepping in unison while the QB reads the alerted defender, typically an overhang linebacker or slot corner, to decide whether to hand the ball off or pull and throw. This is a zone beater at its core since the alert route attacks light box counts and soft flow, and the primary read progression is box count first, then the alert defender's reaction to run flow before working through any secondary pass options.

Defensive Reads

Pre snap, count the box and check if the slot corner or overhang defender is aligned to take away the alert route or sitting deep to funnel toward the run. Post snap, watch for the alert defender crashing down hard on run flow, which is your green light to pull and throw immediately. Look for user controlled defenders lurking underneath the alert route since a smart human defender will bait the RPO read and jump the throw. Against zone blitz or nano blitz packages with an overloaded edge, the run element gets exposed quickly so be ready to get the ball out fast or check to the pass option. Two high safety shells with soft corners tend to shut down the explosive potential of the alert throw, forcing you to live on the ground with the zone run instead.

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap and if the defense has six or fewer in the box, lean toward pulling this into a run read immediately after the snap.

Identify the alert defender, usually the slot corner or overhang backer, and watch whether they crash down on run flow or sit to take away the throw.

Hot route the backside receiver into a quick option or speed out if you are facing man coverage to give yourself an extra answer against blitz looks.

This play shines on early downs like first and second and ten, where defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts and light boxes that make the run read favorable.

Pair this with RPO Zone Alert Bubble or RPO Zone Alert Glance in your play calling sequence so the defense cannot key on one alert route and has to respect multiple RPO tags from the same formation.

Other Plays in Tight Y Off