Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
RPO Read X Smoke lines up out of Shotgun Wing Flex Offset Wk with 12 personnel, showing an inside zone run to the offset back paired with a bubble/smoke read to the X receiver aligned in a reduced split. The diagram shows the offensive line blocking down for the run while the QB reads the alley defender or slot corner on the smoke route to decide whether to hand off or throw quickly outside. This is a run/pass hybrid built to beat aggressive run fits and off-man leverage, with the primary read being the flat defender or overhang player over the X receiver before working to the give.
Defensive Reads
Watch the alignment of the slot corner or overhang defender over the X receiver before the snap, since his depth and leverage dictate the entire RPO. Man coverage with the defender playing tight outside leverage on the X receiver takes away the smoke throw and forces a true run read. Zone shells with a flat defender sitting at depth can jump the smoke route if the QB stares it down, so ball placement matters. Linebackers who crash hard downhill on run action leave the smoke wide open, this is the primary defensive key to look for post snap. Blitz packages that bring extra defenders into the box without accounting for the smoke route get gashed quickly, so respect the RPO if you see stacked fronts.
Usage Tips
Presnap, identify the defender aligned over the X receiver since he is the key for the entire RPO read.
If that defender crashes down to fill the run gap immediately, pull it and throw the smoke for a quick, easy gain.
If he sits wide or shows soft outside leverage, trust the zone read and let the RB work through the designed inside zone lanes.
Use this play on early downs in run heavy sequences so defenses respect the run fit and open up the smoke window later in the series.
Pair it with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Zone Peek from the same set to keep defenders guessing between smoke, slant and inside zone looks.
