Playbooks

RPO Zone Peek

Shotgun·Y Off Trio Close·11

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

RPO Zone Peek is a true run pass option out of the Y Off Trio Close set in Shotgun, giving the quarterback an inside zone handoff read paired with a peek route from the backside slot. The zone blocking up front stays committed to the run track while the QB reads the second level defender (usually a linebacker or slot corner) to decide between the give and the quick throw. Primary progression is run key first: if the alley defender crashes down on the zone action, pull the ball and hit the peek route in the vacated space, otherwise trust the zone scheme and let the running back work through his track.

Defensive Reads

Check the linebacker depth before the snap, if they are stacked tight to the line expect run blitz or a fast crash on the zone action Watch the slot defender over the peek route, aggressive man coverage or a robber technique can jump the throw if the QB does not read it correctly Two high safety shells with soft linebacker depth tend to open up the run lane since the second level defender has to respect both zone gaps Single high looks with an extra man in the box are the toughest matchup for this play since the alley defender can sit on the peek throw and still help in run support User controlled defenders who bail into a lurk position immediately after snap are trying to sit on the peek route, so trust the run track when you see this and let the RB work downhill

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the box count to confirm if the defense is in a run friendly front before snapping this play

Key on the second level defender assigned to the peek side, if he steps up on run action immediately pull and throw before he can recover

This play thrives on early down and distance, especially 1st and 10 or 2nd and short when defenses are more likely to sell out on stopping the run

Pair this with Inside Zone or Mtn Inside Zone earlier in a drive so the defense starts keying run fits, making the RPO peek throw hit even harder once they overplay the handoff

Against aggressive linebacker blitzes, snap the ball quickly and take the automatic peek throw since the zone blocking will not hold up long enough for a delayed handoff read

If the defense shows two high safeties with light box numbers, lean run since the numbers favor inside zone all day

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