Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| WR3 | Right | Run Block |
| WR1 | Left | Option Route |
| WR2 | Right | Bubble Screen |
| WR4 | Right | Run Block |
RPO Alert Screen is a run pass option out of Shotgun Trio 4wr Str that pairs an inside zone handoff with a bubble or quick screen alert to the trips side. The quarterback reads the box count and the flow of the second level defenders, handing off if the linebackers stay wide or pulling the ball to fire the screen if defenders crash down on the run action. This is a zone beater at its core since it punishes linebackers who flow hard to the run fit, and the primary read progression is box count first, then flowing linebacker, then screen throw or handoff decision.
Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they sit flat footed reading run the screen window opens up wide Check for a hard crash from the flowing linebacker toward the running back's mesh point, that is your green light to pull and throw Man coverage with press corners on the outside receivers slows the screen since the blocker in front gets contacted immediately Zone coverage with linebackers sinking into passing lanes can jump the bubble route if they read the quarterback's eyes Blitz packages that send extra defenders off the edge often abandon screen support entirely, giving a wide alley if the quarterback resets fast
Count the box pre snap and identify if the defense has a true numbers advantage against the run before the snap even happens
If the linebackers are sitting light in the box with two high safeties, lean run since the screen window will be tighter
Use this play on early downs in normal down and distance to keep the defense honest and force linebacker hesitation on future snaps
Pair this with Read Option or HB Draw from the same set so defenders start keying run fits, then hit them with Slants or China N Go once they overplay the box
If the defense shows blitz off the edge, get the ball out immediately on the screen since the RPO read naturally exploits aggressive linebacker triggers