Playbooks
Mtn RPO Alert Power is a run pass option built off an inside power run concept, giving the quarterback a pre snap or post snap alert to throw off the run action if the numbers or leverage favor the pass. The power scheme pulls a blocker for the point of attack while the RPO tag reads a flat or hitch defender to determine whether to hand off or pull and fire. The primary read progression starts with the alert defender (usually a flat corner or overhang linebacker), then works to the run fit at the second level if that defender stays home.
Watch the flat or overhang defender pre snap, if he is aligned tight to the box expect the QB to pull and throw immediately off the alert. Check safety depth, a single high safety rotation usually signals man coverage underneath which favors the pass side of the RPO, while two deep safeties favor stopping the run first. Post snap, track whether the alert defender widens with the receiver or squats to play run support, since his conflict decides whether this play beats man or zone coverage. Look for blitzing linebackers filling the power run lane, if the second level is crashing hard and the flat defender bites on run action, the RPO throw should already be out of the QB's hand. Defenses that user the flat defender and let him sit in a hard zone shell without biting on run fake shut this concept down, since it forces the QB into checking down or handing off into a loaded box.
Check the box defender or slot corner before the snap to identify if he is sitting on the flat route or crashing down on run support, since that dictates the RPO alert read immediately.
Use this play on early downs (first and second and short to medium) when defenses are stacking the box to stop Mtn Inside Zone, since the alert throw punishes overcommitted linebackers.
Pair this play in a sequence with Mtn Inside Zone and Mtn Lead Outside Zone so the defense has to respect the same shotgun run look, then hit them with the RPO Alert Power once they start cheating linebackers downhill.
If the defense shows heavy man coverage with the flat defender locked on the receiver, pull the trigger fast since the window closes quickly once the receiver stems his route.
Against zone shells, let the run hit since the flat defender will likely sit in his zone drop, making the power run the higher percentage play through the guard gap.