Playbooks

RPO Zone Dive

Shotgun·Y Off Trips Wk·11
DiveRPORun PlayPass Play
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Shotgun Mix

Breakdown

RPO Zone Dive is an inside zone read paired with a run pass option tag out of the Shotgun Y Off Trips Wk set. The offensive line executes zone blocking to the play side while the quarterback reads a designated second level defender, typically a linebacker or slot defender, to decide between handing off the dive or pulling to throw the RPO route. This play is a run first concept with a built in answer against aggressive run fits, making it effective against both man and zone defenses depending on the leverage of the read defender.

Defensive Reads

Identify the Mike linebacker depth pre-snap since a linebacker sitting shallow signals a run blitz look that the RPO throw can exploit. Watch for defenders keying the mesh point after the snap, if the read defender bites on the run fake the RPO window opens instantly. This play struggles against disciplined zone defenses that keep the read linebacker in a true zone drop rather than crashing downhill. User controlled lurk defenders sitting in the shallow throwing lane can bait the quarterback into pulling the ball into a turnover. Man coverage with no underneath help is where this concept shines since the read defender is forced to choose between run support and coverage assignment.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the box count to confirm the defense is not overloading the box before snapping into this play.

If the linebacker you are reading crashes down hard on run action, pull the ball immediately and take the RPO throw for an easy conversion.

Run this out of second and short or first down to keep defenses honest and prevent them from selling out against the dive.

Pair this play with Mtn RPO Dive and RPO Alert Mtn Dive in the same set so defenders cannot key on a single RPO tag and start jumping the read.

Against defenses that show two high safeties, trust the dive more often since light boxes favor the inside zone hand off over the perimeter throw.

Other Plays in Y Off Trips Wk