Playbooks
Mtn RPO Alert Swing is an RPO out of the Shotgun Y Off Trio Close WK set in 11 personnel that pairs an inside run track with a swing route to the running back as the alert. The quarterback reads the box count and the flow of the second level defender assigned to the run fit: if that defender crashes down on the run action, the ball gets pulled and thrown quickly to the swing man leaking out to the flat. Primary progression is run key first, swing route second, with the trio of receivers on the backside available as a bailout if both the run and swing are taken away.
Pre-snap, identify the alley run defender and note his depth and leverage since a linebacker sitting shallow in the box is a green light to throw the swing without hesitation. Watch for a nickel or slot defender shading tight to the trio side pre-snap, which signals man coverage and tells you the swing route can be schemed away from a hard flat defender. Post-snap, key the flat defender's first step: if he sprints to the flat immediately off the snap, the defense is jumping the swing and you should stick with the run read instead. Beware two high safety shells with linebackers spying the run action, since disciplined defenders who stay square can both stop the run and undercut the swing throw. User controlled defenders lurking underneath in the middle of the field can bait the quarterback into thinking the run lane is open, so always confirm the alley defender's true angle before pulling the ball.
Check the alley defender and the flat defender before the snap since this play lives and dies on whether the second level defender bites on run action.
Use this against base 4-3 or 3-4 looks with linebackers playing downhill run fits, since aggressive run defense linebackers are the exact trigger this RPO wants to exploit.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or slant if you diagnose a two high shell rotating to the trio side, giving you a built in answer versus zone drops that flood the swing.
Pair this call with Mtn Duo or HB Power O earlier in a series so the defense starts keying on the run fit, then hit this RPO alert swing once linebackers start cheating downhill.
Best used on early downs (first and ten, second and short) where defenses are more willing to sell out against the run, since that hesitation is what opens the swing throw.