Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 3 playbooks
Breakdown
RPO Zone Alert WR Screen from Shotgun Trey Offset pairs an inside zone run with a bubble or WR screen alert to the boundary or trips side. The quarterback reads the alert defender (usually a flat corner or overhang defender) pre snap and post snap to decide between handing off the zone run or pulling and throwing the screen. This is an RPO built to punish defenses that crash their edge defender down on the run fit, giving you a numbers advantage on the perimeter, while also functioning as a legitimate run play if the box count favors the ground game.
Defensive Reads
Watch for the flat defender or slot corner crashing down on the snap, that is the trigger for the quarterback to pull and throw the screen immediately. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 1 with the corner playing tight man on the screen receiver, expect the run action since the screen lane is compressed. Man coverage with no underneath help on the perimeter is a green light for the screen because the blocker in front can climb to the second level unblocked. Zone coverages with a linebacker sitting in the flat or a cornerback playing outside leverage in Cover 2 shut down the screen window and should push the quarterback toward the zone run read. User controlled defenders sitting in the passing lane trying to bait the screen throw are the biggest threat, so if you see a defender hovering unnaturally near the screen side, take the handoff instead and let the numbers advantage play out on the ground.
Usage Tips
Check the alert defender pre snap by looking at the corner or slot defender aligned over your screen concept, if he is playing off or shaded inside you have space to work the screen. Use the RPO key indicator if you have it turned on to speed up your decision between run and throw. Snap the ball quickly against defenses that show run blitz looks since the screen bubble action holds the flat defender and turns a blitz into an explosive gain. Pair this play with Read Option and Inside Zone from the same set so defenses cannot sit on the RPO tag, forcing linebackers to respect the run fake every time. Best used on early downs or short yardage third downs where defenses commit extra bodies to the box, since a light box means you pull and throw while a stacked box means you hand off and stay ahead of the count.
