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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
RPO Peek Buck Slant is a run pass option out of Shotgun Wing Slot Wk with 12 personnel that gives the quarterback a give or throw decision based on the read defender. The diagram shows the inside slot receiver running a quick slant across the middle while the outside receiver runs a corner route stemming vertically and breaking to the sideline, creating a natural high low read against a single defender in that zone. The third receiver runs a short flat route underneath to occupy an outside defender, and the backfield action is a buck run scheme that stresses the play side edge if the quarterback hands it off. This is primarily a zone beater since the slant and corner combo attacks a defender who has to choose between the underneath throwing lane and the deep sideline, and the primary read progression starts with the peek key defender for the run/pass decision, then works to the slant as the first pass option before climbing to the corner route.
Defensive Reads
Watch the alignment of the flat defender pre snap since this play is designed to option him off with the run/pass key. If the defense runs a two high shell with corners playing off, expect the slant window to be tight so key on the flat defender's depth to decide run or pass instantly. Post snap, identify if a linebacker sits in the passing lane of the slant, which signals a zone drop that should push you toward the corner route instead. Cover 3 with an aggressive underneath defender flowing to the run side sets up the corner route for an explosive gain over the top. Man coverage with no help over the slant receiver is a green light to trust the quick pass, but watch for a blitzing linebacker off the edge who can disrupt the mesh point before the ball is out.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap to decide if the give read is favorable, since this is a buck scheme that wants numbers advantage at the point of attack.
If the defense shows a light box with a defender flowing hard to the play side, hand it off immediately rather than forcing the pass read.
Use the slant as your quick trigger throw against zone coverage since it sits in the soft spot vacated by underneath defenders bailing to cover the corner route.
Hot route the flat runner into a shallow drag if you are facing man coverage to give yourself a true man beater option underneath.
Pair this play with RPO Peek Slant and RPO Zone Slant Peek in the same series so the defense cannot key on the slant alone, then mix in the buck run scheme from Mtn Buck Sweep or Buck Sweep Read Opt to keep linebackers honest.
