Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn RPO Alert Screen is an RPO built off the mountain (Mtn) run action out of Shotgun Wing Slot Wk with 12 personnel. Pre-snap motion brings a receiver across the formation while the offensive line and TEs set up a screen wall to the flat, giving the QB a run or bubble screen alert based on the numbers the defense shows. The primary read progression is: check the motion defender and box count first, then decide between handing off the mountain run action or pulling and firing the alert screen to the flat if defenders crash inside, making this an effective zone and blitz beater against overaggressive fronts.
Defensive Reads
Key the defensive end and playside linebacker at the snap, if they crash hard on the run action that is your green light to pull and throw the screen. Watch for a nano blitz off the edge, since the screen blocking needs a beat to set up, an unblocked speed rusher can blow up the play before the RPO read develops. Identify two high safeties versus single high pre-snap, two high shells often mean lighter boxes which favors the run side of the RPO. Man coverage on the motion man with no help over the top is a green light to trust the run fake and let the O-line get to the second level. User controlled defenders sitting on the flat or reading the QB's eyes are the biggest threat to the screen, if you see a defender staring into the backfield instead of covering his zone, abort the screen and take the run.
Usage Tips
Watch the motion defender before the snap, if he follows the man in motion or stays wide that tells you whether the screen lane is open.
Count the box defenders after motion, if the defense adds a man to the box the alert screen is your instant answer against inside run blitzes.
Use this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short to keep the defense honest against both the run and the quick screen.
Pair this with Mtn Inside Zone and Mtn Read Option in your play calling sequence so the defense has to respect the same run action every snap before you cash in with the screen.
Hot route the backside TE into a shallow drag if the defense shows heavy zone drops underneath to give the QB a second option outside the screen read.
