5️⃣ Answers to Keep Your RPOs Producing
Oct 04, 2022 6:00 pm
Coach ,
When RPOs first became popular, not many answers were developed to handle these types of plays. The offense was at an advantage and with the correct decision-making of the QB either pre or post-snap, the offense could just call an RPO and be right.
Since then, there have been many types of answers developed, and what was always hypothesized as not having a bad look to call RPO is not necessarily true anymore.
Furthermore, because of the nature of the attack, many of these balls which are thrown on RPO do not stretch the defense deep. Answers need to account for that defense that is reacting quickly to those level 2 throws or aligning tighter to take them away.
Including utilizing the 3rd level RPO, there are answers that can help protect the RPO.
#1 Tag a Go to the route
The first answer is simply to tag a “and go” to the call and what was bubble becomes bubble and go. What was slant becomes Sluggo or slant and go, etc.
This becomes a play action or in this case, an RPO Action Pass which makes the defenders pay for getting nosey on the quick routes while taking away runs with the extra defender.
Wash U assistant Scott Mueller explains the “Go’s” here (click on image for video):
#2 Have Man Beaters
Having an answer to the teams that want to cover down and play man can present problems, so having some simple man beaters in your RPO menu can help keep your plays productive. Western Michigan OC Eric Evans explains theirs here (click on image for video):
#3 Get the extra hat with the QB as the runner
Akron Head Coach Joe Moorehead has used the RPO for a long time now. Having the QB run game tagged with RPO allows the offense to have additional answers as he illustrates in this clip (click on image for video):
#4 Third Level RPO
The boundary safety is one who becomes active in the run game and in rotations, so keying him can provide advantages and big plays for the offense. Ole Miss OC Charles Wies, Jr. explains the “C” Level RPO (click on image for video):
#5 Tag a downfield route to RPO + Allow the QB to check to protection
Retired state champion coach from Texas Todd Dodge liked tagging “Reno” in his RPO game. From their typical 20 personnel, it’s a slot-fade to the field (two receiver side), and a glance to the boundary.
In their RPO game, the QB is responsible for reading the 7th defender to the back’s side. This allows a throw down the field based on how that defender triggers. This can essentially turn into the 3rd level RPO if that defender is the safety.
The QB also has the option to check to a slide protection and drop back and throw the downfield concept. Nothing needs to be done to adjust the receivers. Coach Dodge explains it here (click on image for video):
Whether these are built in or you start with some similar strategies to add to your toolbox and keep your RPO game producing, it’s worth finding the little changes that give you more mileage out of whatever is in your playbook.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski