Playbooks

RPO Peek Hitch

Shotgun·Trey Open HB Str·11

Hitch Option Route Out Streak Pass Play Run Play

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrey Open HB Str

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 3 playbooks

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Breakdown

RPO Peek Hitch is a run/pass option built off inside zone action from the Trey Open HB Str set in Shotgun, giving the QB a give or peek read tied to the box count. The line executes zone blocking while the QB reads the peek defender (typically an alerted flat or curl defender) to decide between handing off and pulling to throw a quick hitch. This is a run-first RPO designed to punish light boxes or overaggressive linebacker flow, with the primary progression being box count pre-snap, then peek defender reaction post-snap before checking the hitch as the answer against a crashing edge or flowing linebacker.

Defensive Reads

Look for a stacked box with linebackers creeping to the line pre-snap since that signals the defense is selling out against the zone run. Check safety depth before the snap, single high shells with a linebacker sitting in the peek window usually mean the hitch throw is not there and you should trust the run. Post-snap, track the flat or curl defender assigned to the peek key, if he steps up to fill the run gap the hitch is wide open behind him. User controlled linebackers who spy or sit at the line to jump the quick hitch throw will shut this down, so be ready to hand the ball off instead of forcing the peek. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with disciplined zone drops are the toughest matchup since the peek defender stays in his zone landmark instead of biting on run action.

Usage Tips

Count the box pre-snap and if you see six or fewer defenders in the box favor the give to the running back behind the zone scheme.

Identify the peek defender before the snap, usually the flat or curl to hitch defender, and watch his run fit key at the snap to decide pass or run.

Use this on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage where defenses expect run and often sell out to stop inside zone.

Pair this with RPO Zone Peek or RPO Peek Bubble later in a series so the defense cannot key on which route the peek ties to, forcing hesitation from linebackers.

Against aggressive user linebackers who crash downhill on run action, take the automatic hitch throw since the flat defender vacates the window immediately.