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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
RPO Alert Screen out of Shotgun Trips gives the quarterback a true run-pass conflict read: the running back takes an inside handoff read while the outside receiver in the trips bunch runs a quick alert screen with the two remaining slot receivers blocking downfield for him. The backside single receiver runs a vertical release straight upfield to hold the corner and safety on that side honest. This is an RPO built to punish overcommitted linebackers, with the primary read being the box count and flow: if linebackers crash down on the run fake, pull and throw the screen to the trips side; if they stay home, hand it off.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebacker depth at the snap, if they are sitting shallow expecting the run they will get caught flat footed by the screen. Identify if the defense is playing zone coverage underneath, since sitting zone defenders can jump the screen route and blow it up for a loss. Look for a hard edge blitz or overload pressure to the trips side, this play is designed to counter that exact look by getting the ball out quickly behind the blockers. Man coverage on the backside single receiver with no safety help over the top is vulnerable to the vertical route if the quarterback resets his eyes off the screen. Disciplined linebackers who stay square and read the mesh point without flowing hard can take away both the run and the screen, forcing a checkdown or throwaway.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and count defenders in the box versus blockers to decide whether the run or screen side is favored.
If you see the linebackers sitting flat footed with no fast flow to the play side, trust the handoff and let the inside zone hit downhill.
If the linebackers crash hard on run action or you see a blitz look with extra rushers, get the ball out fast to the alert screen and let the two blockers on the trips side work off their blocks.
Use the backside vertical route as a hot read against single high man coverage if the corner bites on the screen action, since it can turn into an explosive shot play.
Pair this with RPO Zone Alert Screen and RPO Read Screen from the same set to keep defenders guessing between different screen concepts off similar run action, then mix in Inside Zone and HB Sweep as pure run calls once the defense starts jumping the screen.
