Playbooks

RPO Dive Alert Smoke

Singleback·Wing Pair·13

Dive RPO Run Play Pass Play

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Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

SetWing Pair

Personnel

131 RB · 3 TE · 1 WR

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Breakdown

RPO Dive Alert Smoke out of Singleback Wing Pair is a true run pass option that pairs an inside dive with a smoke route bubble to the perimeter. The quarterback reads the alert defender, typically the flat defender or overhang, and either hands off the dive on a light box or pulls it to fire the smoke screen if that defender flows inside with run action. This is a zone beater at its core because it punishes light boxes and off man leverage on the outside receiver, with the primary read progression being box count first, then flat defender reaction to the mesh point.

Defensive Reads

Identify the alert defender presnap, usually the slot corner or overhang linebacker responsible for both the flat and run support. If that defender is playing off and deep, the dive is live since he cannot get downhill fast enough. If he sits tight to the line or shows blitz, expect him to crash the mesh point, which opens the smoke throw behind him. Watch for zone shells with a nickel corner sitting at five yards or deeper, this pre-snap look usually signals a wide open smoke throw. Man coverage with the corner in your face and no safety help over the top is where this play struggles, since a smart user can jump the bubble route while the dive gets swarmed by extra box defenders. Nano blitzes and heavy inside pressure packages can blow up the dive read quickly, so be ready to get the ball out on the smoke immediately if you see linebackers stacked tight presnap.

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap and if you see six or fewer defenders in the box, lean toward keeping the ball on the dive read. Look at the flat defender or slot corner alignment presnap, if he is sitting inside expecting run support, the smoke throw is live. Use the alert hot route to confirm the RPO key defender if your playbook allows manual designation, this keeps your read consistent against disguised fronts. This play works best on early downs like first and second and short yardage third downs where defenses often sell out to stop the run. Pair this with 26 Duo or HB Inside Zone from the same set to keep defenses honest on base run reads, then hit them with the smoke throw once they start crashing linebackers downhill. Against aggressive man blitz teams, snap it quickly since the smoke route punishes blitzing corners who vacate their assignment.