Playbooks

Mtn RPO Read Flat

Shotgun·Trips TE·11

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Mtn RPO Read Flat is a run pass option out of Shotgun Trips TE that pairs an inside zone run with a flat route read tied to the trips side. The quarterback reads the flat defender or nearest second level defender to the trips alignment: if that defender sits inside on the run action or crashes down, pull and throw the flat for an easy pitch and catch, and if he stays wide to defend the flat, hand off into the zone run lanes. This is a zone beater at its core since it punishes light boxes and defenders who overcommit to either the run fit or the flat throw, giving you a low risk conflict read every snap.

Defensive Reads

Watch the defender aligned over or near the flat route pre-snap, since his depth and leverage tells you whether he is playing run support or flat coverage. Check safety depth before the snap: two high shells with soft corners tend to open up the flat throw because the underneath defenders are more run conscious. Post-snap, key the mesh point defender or the flat/hook player's first step. If he steps up to fill the run, the flat is wide open behind him. This play struggles against disciplined zone drops where the flat defender sits and reads the quarterback's eyes instead of crashing down, so be ready to trust the run. Nano blitzes or aggressive man blitz packages can beat this play if the user pulls a lurking linebacker into the flat throwing lane immediately at the snap, so have a checkdown or throwaway mentality if that shows.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into showing their run fit before the snap so your post-snap read is cleaner.

Identify the box count first: if the defense has six or more in the box, favor the flat throw since the run lane is likely clogged.

Against man coverage look for the flat defender running with the running back out of the backfield, which usually means the run is the better hot route adjustment.

Pair this play with Mtn Bench or Mtn Z Spot to keep the same trips formation on the field while attacking the same conflict defender with a different concept, forcing him to guess.

Best called on early downs or short yardage third downs since the RPO nature gives you a built in checkdown even if the defense guesses correctly.

Other Plays in Trips TE