Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Alert X Gift is an RPO built out of Shotgun U Off Trips with 12 personnel, giving the QB a run/pass alert based on the box count and second level flow. The diagram shows a run action to the trips side with the tagged back running an angle route out of the backfield while two outside receivers stack vertical stems, one going straight up the seam and the other breaking into a corner route off the top. The primary read progression starts with the run key on the second level defender, then moves to the corner route as the alert throw if the defense collapses the box, with the angle route serving as the checkdown/flat beater versus off coverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch the pre-snap box count and safety depth, a light box with two high safeties tells you to expect the run key while a stacked box signals the alert throw. Post-snap, key the play side linebacker's first step, if he crashes down hard on run action that opens the angle route window immediately. Cover 3 with a single high safety struggles to defend both the seam vertical and the corner route breaking outside, forcing a tough choice for the flat/curl defender. User-controlled defenders sitting on the corner route or jumping the angle route can blow this up, so have a built-in progression to move off your first read if you see a defender break early. Man coverage with inside leverage on the seam route can undercut the vertical stem, so be ready to climb to the corner route as your adjusted answer.
Usage Tips
Check the box count pre-snap: if the defense has six or more in the box, pull it and throw the alert route immediately instead of handing off.
Use the angle route out of the backfield as your answer versus blitz looks since it clears quickly and beats man coverage leaking out of the backfield.
Pair this with Read Option or Inside Zone from the same set so the defense has to respect the run fake every time you show this personnel and formation.
Attack single high shells (Cover 3 or Cover 1) by keying the corner route against a cornerback playing outside leverage, since the seam vertical occupies the deep safety.
Best called on run/pass ambiguous downs like second and short or first and ten to keep the defense honest and force fast, incorrect reads from linebackers.
