Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
RPO Duo Alert Post is a run/pass option built off the Duo blocking scheme out of Shotgun Wing Pair, giving the quarterback a pre-snap and post-snap read between handing off and pulling to throw. The diagram shows the isolated receiver running a vertical release that breaks into a post at the top of the route, working against a single defender with no help shown over the top. This is a man beater at its core, since the post attacks a defender in phase or trailing, and the primary read progression is run key first (crashing linebackers or a light box) then peek to the post if the corner opens his hips or the safety bites on run action.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment, a single high safety rotated toward the post side signals man coverage underneath and tells the quarterback to trust the throw. Watch the corner over the post receiver, if he presses or shows outside leverage before the snap he is likely playing man technique and vulnerable to the post break. Post-snap, key the play side linebacker, if he sits in a run/pass conflict and gains depth instead of crashing, the RPO read favors handing the ball off for Duo. Look for a user controlled defender flashing down into the box or spying the mesh point, since a jumped run key opens the post throwing lane immediately. Zone shells with a deep half safety rolled to the throw side shut this down, the post has no room to work behind two high coverage, so the quarterback should stay on the ground game in that look.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap, if the defense stacks the box with a extra defender in the alley, pull the ball and throw the post instead of forcing the Duo run.
Use this play on early downs when the defense has shown run blitz tendencies, since the RPO mechanic punishes linebackers who crash downhill on run action.
Hot route the post to a nod or dig if you see a deep half safety sitting over the top, since a true post concept versus two high shells needs a shorter breaking window.
Pair this call with base Duo and Read Option from the same set to keep the defense guessing on run fits, then come back to the Alert Post when you see linebackers flowing hard to the run action.
Snap the ball with rhythm and make your run/pass decision within your first two steps, since holding the read too long lets pursuit defenders erase both the run lane and the throwing window.
