Playbooks

RPO Power Alert Glance

Shotgun·Wing Slot Wk·12
RPOPass PlayRun PlayBubble ScreenPost

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

RPO Power Alert Glance is a true run-pass option out of Shotgun 12 personnel that pairs a Power run scheme with an alert glance route to the slot. The QB reads the alert defender (usually the overhang or nickel) after the snap: if that defender crashes down to fill the Power lane, the QB pulls and throws the quick glance route into the vacated space, and if the defender sits or bails into coverage, the QB hands off to the Power run behind the pulling guard and lead blocker. This is a zone beater against light boxes and off coverage since the glance window opens up big against soft zone drops, while the Power scheme gives you a physical downhill answer versus base fronts.

Defensive Reads

Watch the alignment of the slot corner or nickel over the glance route presnap since a defender playing off man or soft zone signals an easy throw window. Post-snap, key the alert defender's first step: if he crashes toward the box to defend Power, the glance throw is live and should come out immediately. Beware user-controlled lurk defenders sitting in the shallow throwing lane, as a smart user player can jump the glance route if the QB telegraphs the pass. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with aggressive run support from the flat defender tend to open the glance throw, while true Cover 2 or Cover 6 with the slot defender sitting in the passing lane can shut this down. Look for blitz packages that bring extra defenders off the edge or through the A-gap since the RPO read can get muddied if the alert defender is replaced by a disguised blitzer crashing late.

Usage Tips

Presnap, identify the alert defender (the second level defender aligned over or near the slot receiver running the glance) since this is the key to your entire read.

Use this play on early downs in run-heavy personnel to keep defenses honest, then pair it with RPO Power Alert Bubble later in the drive so the defense has to respect both the glance and bubble concepts off the same run action.

If the defense shows a heavy box presnap with the alert defender crashing hard on run action, prioritize the glance throw immediately off the snap instead of hesitating.

Against man coverage, consider hot routing the glance to a slant or quick out if the slot corner is playing tight man since the glance alone may not separate as cleanly.

Sequence this with Mtn RPO Buck Alert or RPO Zone Alert Bubble to keep the same alert-key concept rolling with different run fits, forcing linebackers to freeze and creating explosive play opportunities.

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