Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Zone Slant Peek pairs an inside zone run scheme with a peek read slant concept, giving the QB a true run-pass conflict read on the play side linebacker or overhang defender. If that defender steps up to fill the zone run lane, the QB pulls and fires the slant in behind him for an easy conversion. This is an RPO and run play at its core that functions as a zone beater against light boxes and off man coverage, with the primary read progression being: identify the peek defender, then decide handoff versus slant throw based on his run/pass leverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side linebacker depth pre-snap, if he is sitting shallow near the line of scrimmage he is likely to trigger on the run fake and get beat by the slant. Identify single high versus two high safety shells before the snap, since single high alignments often mean more aggressive run fits that favor the slant throw. Post-snap, track any user-controlled lurk defender sitting in the shallow zone, as a smart user can jump the slant route and blow up the RPO read. Man coverage on the slot receiver with tight inside leverage takes away the peek throw and forces the offense into the run, so recognize man alignment and be ready to hand off. Blitzes that send extra defenders through the play side gap can outnumber the run blocking, so if you see a nano blitz look or overload pressure pre-snap, key the slant as the answer instead of trusting the zone run.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only key the run if you have a numbers advantage, otherwise plan to throw the slant off the peek read immediately. Look at the slot corner or nickel defender pre-snap: if he is playing off with outside leverage the slant window opens up fast against zone drops. Use the flick of the stick to trust your run blocking on early downs when the defense shows a light box, then flip to the slant peek on second and short to keep the defense honest. This play pairs extremely well with RPO Peek Slant and RPO Power Peek Slant in a sequence, since all three punish linebackers who key run fits the same way, making it hard for defenders to sit on one read. Save it for third and short to medium situations where defenders are more likely to crash down on the run action, opening the peek slant window.
