Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
RPO Zone Alert Stick pairs an inside zone run read with a Stick concept out of Shotgun Trey Offset. The diagram shows the offset back running the zone track behind the line, while the slot receiver runs a quick out and the outside receiver clears vertically to occupy the deep defender, giving the quarterback a pull read to the flat. This is a run/pass option built to attack light boxes and off coverage, with the primary read being the alert defender in the box: give the ball on inside zone if he stays home, or pull and throw the stick/out route to the flat if he crashes down.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the alert defender, usually the play side linebacker or slot corner, and watch his depth and leverage before the snap. If the defense shows a two high safety shell with light box counts, expect the offense to hand the ball off on inside zone since the numbers favor the run. Man coverage on the outside receiver clearing vertically can open a natural pick element for the stick route underneath, so watch for a user defender jumping the flat route too aggressively. Zone defenses that sink linebackers into the stick window take away the quick pull read, forcing the offense back to the run. Blitz packages that send extra defenders off the edge can beat this play if the quarterback is forced to make a rushed decision before reading the alert key.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and count defenders in the box against your offensive line plus the running back.
If the defense shows six or more in the box, lean toward the pull read and throw the flat route quickly before the flat defender can react.
Use the stick concept as your answer to zone coverage with underneath defenders sitting, since the quick out route settles in the void just outside the hash.
Pair this call with straight Inside Zone or Outside Zone from the same set to keep the defense honest on run fits and disguise your RPO tendencies.
Best used on early downs (first and ten or second and short) where defenses are more likely to load the box and give you the clean pull read.
