Playbooks

RPO Zone Alert Smoke

Shotgun·Trey Open HB Str·11
RPOPass PlayRun Play
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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Benkert OffenseOffense

Breakdown

RPO Zone Alert Smoke is a run pass option built off an inside zone blocking scheme with a smoke route alert tagged to the perimeter receiver. The quarterback reads the box count and the alert defender before the snap, handing off to the HB on the zone track if the numbers favor the run or pulling and firing the smoke to the flanker if the corner sits off or bites on run action. This is a true hybrid RPO that punishes light boxes and aggressive alert defenders in the same rep, giving you a zone beater on the ground and a quick horizontal answer versus man or soft zone on the perimeter.

Defensive Reads

Watch the flanker or slot corner assigned to the smoke route, if he is playing off coverage or bailing at the snap that is your green light to throw immediately. Count the box defenders before the snap, a light box with only six in the box against 11 personnel is a clear signal to hand it off on the zone track. Beware of user controlled defenders sitting on the smoke route, a defender who stays flat footed and reads the quarterback's eyes can jump the throw for a pick six. Against man coverage with the corner pressed on the smoke receiver, avoid the throw since the route has no separation built in and lean on the run element instead. Look for linebackers cheating to the alert side pre-snap, this often signals the defense has scouted the RPO tendency and will crash down on both options, so consider audibling to a play-action shot instead.

Usage Tips

Check the alert defender pre-snap, usually the slot or outside corner over the smoke receiver, and decide your run or throw plan before the ball is snapped based on his depth and leverage.

If the corner is playing seven yards or deeper off the line, take the automatic smoke throw for a free five to seven yards before the defense can close.

If the box shows six or fewer defenders with the alert defender staying wide, pull the ball down mentally and trust the zone hand off to the HB.

Pair this call with RPO Peek Bubble or RPO Alert Smoke earlier in a series so the defense has to respect both the bubble alert and the outside smoke alert, opening natural cracks in the zone read.

Use this on early downs, first and ten or second and short, since the run action is live and defenders are more likely to sell out on the run fit.

Hot route the backside slot into a quick out if you are facing heavy man coverage to give yourself a second answer beyond the smoke alert.

Other Plays in Trey Open HB Str