Playbooks
Breakdown
RPO Base Alert Lookie runs out of Shotgun Y Trips Wk with an inside zone run scheme up front paired with a two-man read side to the boundary. The lone isolated X receiver runs a deep dig that breaks across the middle at intermediate depth, giving the QB a run/pass alert read off the second level defender near the box. On the trips side the two receivers work a quick pick concept, with the outside receiver stemming inside to rub off the flat defender while the inside slot receiver works underneath, creating a designed pick beater against man coverage. The primary progression is: read the alert defender for run or throw the lookie dig, then if that window closes, work the trips side pick concept for a quick underneath completion.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, count the box defenders and check safety depth, a single high safety with a stacked box tells the QB to give the ball on the zone run. Watch the flat defender to the trips side, if he sits on the underneath pick route he will collide with his own teammate and open up easy yardage. Post-snap, track the alert defender assigned to the dig route, if he steps up to fill the run gap the throwing lane behind him is wide open. This play struggles against a hard inside blitz that gets penetration before the mesh point, since it disrupts both the give and the quick game timing. Two high shells with disciplined linebackers who stay square can take away both the dig window and the trips pick, forcing the offense into the check down or a scramble situation.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap since this is a numbers based RPO, if the defense is light in the box take the give every time.
Use the dig route as your alert key against zone shells that rotate a safety down, the throwing window opens fast so get through your progression quickly.
Against man coverage look immediately to the trips side pick concept since the natural rub creates easy separation for the inside receiver.
Pair this play with HB Base or Inside Zone earlier in a series to get the defense biting on run fits, then come back to this RPO to punish an aggressive front.
Best used on early downs in normal personnel situations where defenses are more likely to stack the box or sit in base zone looks.
