Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
RPO Zone Peek is a run-pass option built off inside zone action from the Shotgun Wing Flex Offset Wk set in 12 personnel. The offensive line executes inside zone blocking while the quarterback peeks a slot or tight end running a quick in-breaking route (peek concept) behind the second level, giving you a built-in conflict read on a linebacker or nickel defender. Your primary progression is pre-snap run fit recognition into the peek throw: if the box is loaded or the peek defender steps up to fill the run lane, pull the ball and hit the peek route quickly before the window closes.
Defensive Reads
Watch the second-level defender aligned over the peek route before the snap, if he is playing downhill run support with no eyes on the slot, the peek throw is wide open post-snap. Check safety depth and rotation, a single-high shell with linebackers stacked tight in the box signals the offense should lean run, while two-high shells with light boxes favor the peek throw. On defense, user the linebacker responsible for the peek zone and manually spy the quarterback's eyes instead of committing to the run fit, this takes away the conflict read entirely. Look for the nickel or slot defender squatting at the sticks in zone coverage, this indicates a zone shell that can still be attacked with the peek route on quick timing before he can react. Beware of quarterback contain rushers who bait the pull and throw, if the edge defender crashes down late, the RPO read gets muddied and the throw window shrinks fast.
Usage Tips
Count the box before the snap and compare it to your blockers, if the defense has an extra man in the box beyond what your line can handle, that is your cue to throw the peek instead of handing it off.
Use this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short since the balanced run-pass threat keeps defenses honest and punishes overly aggressive run fits.
If the linebacker assigned to the peek zone sits and reads the quarterback's eyes, hot route the peek receiver into a quick out or speed up his release to beat a sinking defender.
Pair this with RPO Peek Slant and RPO Power Peek from the same set to keep the defense guessing on which peek window you are attacking, forcing linebackers to hesitate on every snap.
Against teams that spam nano blitzes, use inside zone hand-offs off this same look to punish blitz-happy defenses that vacate the peek lane entirely.
