Playbooks

RPO Buck Alert Smoke

Shotgun·Y Trips Wk·11
RPOPass PlayRun Play
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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

Franchise Offense Gun ScreengameOffense

Breakdown

RPO Buck Alert Smoke is a run pass option out of the Shotgun Y Trips Wk set that pairs an inside zone run scheme with a smoke route (bubble or quick out) to the backside or trips side receiver. The QB reads the alert defender, typically the flat defender or overhang linebacker, before the snap and again as the mesh point develops to decide between handing off or pulling and throwing the smoke. This play is a genuine RPO hybrid, functioning as both a run play and a light zone beater since the smoke route punishes defenders who crash down on the run fit.

Defensive Reads

Watch the flat defender or slot cornerback pre-snap, if he is aligned with outside leverage and deep cushion he is baiting the smoke throw so keep the ball on the ground. Key the play side linebacker depth at the snap, a linebacker crashing hard downhill into the box confirms the run fit is compromised and the smoke should be an automatic pull. Man coverage with the cornerback pressed on the smoke receiver takes away the easy throw, so plan to hand it off and trust the zone blocking. Cover 3 and other zone shells with underneath defenders sinking into passing lanes can still tackle the smoke receiver for minimal gain, so only trigger the throw when the alert defender fully commits to run support. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in a shallow lurk position, since a smart user player can bait the smoke throw and jump the route for a turnover, so double confirm run blitz cues before pulling the trigger.

Usage Tips

Use your pre-snap alert key on the smoke side defender before the snap, if he is sitting inside or crashing hard on run support that is your green light to throw the smoke immediately. Run this on early downs like first and second and short to medium yardage situations where defenses are more likely to sell out against the run. Motion the trips receiver slightly or check the CB depth to confirm off coverage before committing to the pass side, since tight man coverage on the smoke receiver kills that option. Pair this call with HB Mid Zone or Inside Zone from the same set to keep defenses honest on run fits, then hit them with the smoke read once they start flowing hard to stop the zone run. Sequence this with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Zone Peek later in a series so defenders cannot key on the alert receiver and jump the smoke route.

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