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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
RPO Buck Alert Out is a run pass option built off inside zone action out of Shotgun Wing Trips Wk Nasty. The diagram shows the lone outside receiver breaking on an out route toward the sideline while the backfield read runs a give path to the right behind the offensive line, giving the quarterback a pre snap and post snap key on the alley or overhang defender. This is a horizontal stretch RPO designed to beat light box zone looks: if the flat defender crashes down on the run fit, the QB pulls and fires the out for an easy pitch and catch; if that defender sits wide, the zone read hands off into a clean inside zone lane.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat or overhang defender at the snap: if he crashes inside to fill the run lane, the QB will pull and throw the out immediately, so a disciplined defender who stays wide shuts down the pass option. Man coverage with an aggressive off corner can bait the QB into throwing the out into a jump ball situation, so sitting the corner outside and playing for the break is an effective man beater counter. Zone coverage that keeps a cornerback or safety sinking under the out route removes the easy RPO throw and forces the offense into the run, which is the intended defensive answer versus this concept. Post snap, user the alley defender and key the mesh point: if the RB gets the ball, fill the inside zone gap fast; if the QB pulls it, transition outside to close the throwing window before the out route reaches the sideline. Blitzes that bring extra numbers into the box can be exploited if the alert defender is pulled inside, so identifying nano blitz packages pre snap tells you whether to bail the flat defender out wide or trust the fit.
Usage Tips
Pre snap, count the box defenders and check whether the flat or overhang defender is aligned to threaten the out route or the run gap.
If you see a two high shell with the corner playing off, the out route defender is your run cue since he is more likely tasked with entering the box.
Against man coverage, hot route the out into a quick speed cut or slant since off man corners can undercut the out sideline throw.
Use this in run heavy sequences with Outside Zone and Inside Zone Split to sell the same zone action, then hit the RPO alert to punish defenders who key run fits too aggressively.
Best used on early downs (1st and 10, 2nd and short to medium) where defenses are more willing to sell out on the run fit, making the alert throw a low risk explosive gain.
