By Mike Kuchar
Senior Research Manager
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikekKuchar

Introduction

Quick question to all those RPO coaches: Are you designing these run/pass options in order to run the ball more effectively or just to throw it around the lot?

The answer seems obvious, right: to outnumber the defense in order to run the football.

Well, we thought so too until we started conducting our research on this study. The philosophy that began as a way to control a plus-one defender by tagging a pass element to your run game, may have shifted to the priority of getting your best receiver the ball in space though the air. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that philosophy. In fact, many of the coaches we spoke with are successful perhaps because they’ve figured out alone just how to do that.

We did provide over a dozen contributors to this study from all levels of football, including several who used a post-snap read on over 75 percent of their offensive snaps this season.  While a contingent of these coaches use their RPO concept to take advantage of defenders who are tied into the run game, there are others like Fordham University head coach Andrew Breiner who thinks the opposite. As Coach Breiner told us, “People are thinking how can I call a run and throw the football. That’s not our intention. Our intention is to call the run to run the ball, but now allow defenses to add the extra defender in the box.”

In this case, we wanted to provide coaches with the necessary means to design these RPO concepts. In doing so, we are going to take the following philosophy in mind, we will report on how coaches are constructing these schemes by placing defenders in conflict in order to run the ball more effectively.

Many of our sources were among the top rushing programs in the country this past season, Albion College (MI) rushed for 283 yards per game and Arkansas Tech University rushed for 269 just to name a few. We dug into how these coaches, and others, we using the RPO system to put defenders in pre-snap conflict and manipulate their assignment post-snap. The run games they were using to do so were based on three components:

• Front Structure
• Box Count
• Field and Boundary Fitters

The bottom line is to find out who a defenses extra run fitter is and manipulate that defender using various means.

Designing Runs off Front Structure

Some runs work particularly well against different fronts. We all know this as coaches. But there are some coaches who put a premium on which run concept they are calling based off the front that they are seeing. We’ve found that in general terms, coordinators who plan against even front structures are more susceptible to call gap scheme run concepts, particularly against play side 3-techniques in order to get movement at the point of attack. These are also the same coaches who will choose to run zone concepts at the bubble (or shade/5-technique) side so their front side guard can climb to the next level. Alternatively, coaches that are designing their RPOs against predominantly even front teams have chosen to use some double pull concepts, mainly in the form of buck sweep and other pin and pull variations, because of the probability of getting two linemen out at the point of attack.

Eric Davis at Mankato East High School (MN) told us his power and counter gap schemes were less efficient vs. 3-4 teams, partially due to our inability to block the outside linebacker when our kick out player blocked the 4-techhnique or 5-technique.  “We also had some struggles getting to the backside linebacker with our backside guard on inside zone vs. 3-4 teams.  So we’re hoping that an expansion of our RPO package will fix that problem. We did run our buck sweep very effectively against those teams as well as power out of tackle over. While inside zone was not great against the 3-4, it was extremely effective against the 3-3 Stack, probably due to the fact the gaps the defenders were responsible for were more clearly defined immediately post-snap.”

Mark Holcomb at North Davidson High School (NC) will break the run concepts from his RPO package into attacking front structure as well. Against four man fronts, Coach Holcomb will use his fold scheme, where he will block down on the nose and wrap the center or the uncovered lineman for the play side linebacker (Diagram 1). It’s a way for him to block the sixth man in the box. Against three-down looks, the gap blocking structure of the buck sweep helps even against 4i-techniques because he will use his tackle on that player in order to have two puller with the guards (Diagram 2).

Joe Osovet, the former head coach at Nassau Community College (NY), will check the portions of his RPOs to the shade techniques in four-down fronts. Although his run portions are not married to his RPOs at all, he told us he will run the best run concept that we will think is best against the front we are going to face. Then he tags his RPO concepts to what we think the back end of coverage is going to look like. “If we had our druthers, we want to gap things,” said Coach Osovet. “We want to run our inside zone to the low shade, our G/T counter to the high and our dart scheme is predicated on where the bubble is or the second level linebacker alignment is.”

By Mike Kuchar
Senior Research Manager
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikekKuchar

Introduction

Once the pre-snap thought process has been ingrained in your quarterback, now it becomes necessary to start designing your RPOs based off the personnel groupings and formations you already have in your system. As an underlining rule, we’ve found that most coaches take the run concepts they use with the most success and protect them formationally by using structures where they can get a hat on a hat. Then, once the extra hat falls in defensively, the run/pass option is added. 

This case will focus entirely on how to identify who that extra defender (or conflict player) is based off the formation you present offensively. The RPO game is all about protecting your top runs. So we wanted to dig deeper and help coaches figure out how they can protect their runs based on the defensive structure they are seeing each week. Our sources divulge how they are able to do that using various formations. Since the majority of coaches we spoke are pure tempo coaches, the main personnel groupings we research are 20, 10 and 11 personnel groupings.

Lee Sadler at Marshall High School (AR) gives definition to the conflict defender

as someone who is responsible for playing both the run and the pass. “If we have one or two receivers to a side, the second defender from the outside-in is the conflict player,” said Coach Sadler. “We don’t count safeties or players over seven yards deep. If we have a three-receiver side, then the third player from the outside-in is the conflict player.” Following those rules, every time the quarterback gets lined up he will do the following:

1. Look at the box for possible pressure.
2. Look to the conflict defender on the left.
3. Look to the conflict defender on the right.
4. Look back to the box one more time and start the cadence.

The quarterback learns that on interior runs, he will have RPO options on both sides. On perimeter runs, he will only be concerned with the conflict defender on the backside.”

For Dustin Beurer, the offensive coordinator at Albion College (MI) any time he can block five for five up front (or four for four) he we will throw more vertical passing game with the quick game or pop on the backside. Any time he can leave the backside defensive end on a six-man box, he will run his quick game stuff (all of which are detailed later in this report). He classifies his box count priorities below:

• 4-1 box read: Run the ball or vertical pass
• 4-2 box read: pick on backside linebacker
• 3-4 box read: nickel or outside safety

Editor’s Note: All of the concepts that are referenced in this case will be detailed, complete with video, in case three.

10 Personnel Designs

2×2 Open Formations

When designing RPOs from 10 personnel groupings, a clarification needs to be made the difference between 2×2 open or 3×1 open formations. Most defenses will align in two-high safety structures against these formations, so the extra run fitter can come from the following locations:

Field Second Level Run Fitter: Odd structure (Diagram 14) and Even structure (Diagram 15)

Boundary Second Level Run Fitter such as a Corner (Some 4-3 structures) (Diagram 16)

Boundary Second Level Run Fitter such as a Linebacker (Odd Stack structures) (Diagram 17)

By Mike Kuchar
Senior Research Manager
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikekKuchar

Introduction

In this case, we detail which pass concepts coaches are using to stress conflict defenders. But before we start reporting on which run concepts are married with the pass game, there is one important denomination we came across in our research: Interior runs such as zone, power and counter are tied more to horizontal pass concepts while exterior runs such as pin and pull and outside zone are tied more to vertical pass concepts.

The reasoning is simple: The interior runs tighten second and third level defenders (opening up the perimeter alleys), while the perimeter runs widen them (opening up seams in the defense).

These are all new submissions with most coming in the form of post-snap third level reads. In the prior case, we presented research on how to target conflict defenders based off formation. In this case, we will present which concepts are used to attack these defenders. We categorized them into specific support patterns.

Third Level Manipulations

Safety Manipulations

Please Note: The RPOs detailed below can be used with various run actions, so the illustrations do not include the specifics on run blocking.

Manipulating Backside Safety in Run Support

Glance RPO: Fordham University (NY) (Diagram 61)

Read: Away from run action

Run Action: Inside Zone, outside zone, power or dart

Conflict Defender: Boundary safety in quarters coverage

Description: Glance is a concept generally to the X receiver out of 11 personnel groupings who will take a five-step route on a post angle. The quarterback will first check to see if he has leverage to the field to throw the bubble. If there is no threat of a perimeter blitz from the overhang, the quarterback will read the boundary safety for the glance route. “If the boundary safety rotates to the post, or makes any type of definitive movement to the line of scrimmage, we will throw the glance,” said head coach and offensive coordinator Andrew Breiner. The key is to allow the boundary safety post-snap to come screaming downhill when he sees run action.

To study game cutups of the Glance concept, click on the video below:

By Mike Kuchar
Senior Research Manager
Special Reporting by Adam Hovorka and James Woods
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikekKuchar

Introduction

The talk around the clinic circuit this off-season was that man coverage provides a viable answer in defending these RPO schemes. We have the research to back it up. We found that 46 percent of defensive coordinators either use pure man coverage or a version of split field coverage (which essentially turns to man post snap) to defend run/pass option concepts. So this case serves as the pure counterpoint to the topic, how offensive coaches are attacking man coverage in their RPO game.

We’ve segmented our research into the following perspectives of opinion:

• Coaches who rely on quick game methodologies
• Coaches who use stacked and compressed formations.
• Coaches who rely more on the run game component of RPOs

Quick Game Methodologies

Lynn Shackelford at Cashion High School (OK) started to see an abundance of man coverage later on in the season due to the success rate of his RPO game. When he was presented with man coverage, he relied on quick game routes such as slants, arrows, posts, outs, seams and fades. He would use a built-in man beater to attack the side of man coverage. “For example, if we called a man side and a zone side, the quarterback would pre-snap to see coverage and what side he is working,” said Coach Shackelford. “If he likes the man leverage, he catches and throws the man side. If he doesn’t, he hands the zone run play.” Coach Shackelford will often have a slant/seam built into the man side as a man beater, which is paired with his zone run game. The quarterback is double reading here post snap from the inside linebacker to the strong safety. “If backer run fits, he reads the strong safety. If strong safety is peddling, he is throwing the slant.”

Zone Slant RPO: Cashion High School (OK) (Diagram 76)

To study game cutups on this concept, click on the video below:

By Mike Kuchar
Senior Research Manager
Special Reporting by Adam Hovorka and James Woods
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikekKuchar

Introduction

The difficultly in implementing RPO concepts seems to be the selection process. Once coaches understand how to design them, creativity can take over resulting in an endless amount of concepts. Case three in this report had over two dozen alone. So the following question arises: How much does one need in an offensive system? We were curious to see if there was a specific number tagged to installation. We found that number ranged from 5 to 15 total pass tags off various run actions.  While we realize that is a broad base to work with, we did research how coaches were devising their installation both in the spring and fall to get to the end goal giving their offense the confidence to be able to run these efficiently. We segmented our research into the following methodologies:

• Whole/Part/Whole
• Three Day Installations
• Segmented Teaching

Whole/Part/Whole Methodologies

One of the most thorough responses on the whole/part/whole teaching methodology came from Jake Olsen, the offensive coordinator at Loras College (IA).

He describes his process in details below:

“When installing these concepts, or any RPO for that matter, we use whole-part-whole installation. In the meeting room, we introduce the play with all components as a whole. It’s imperative our coaches outline the reasons why we are pairing particular runs with specific quick screens or passes. Based upon what we expect to see from our opponent, we devise the specific run(s) that we believe will work against the opponent’s front and pair up exterior schemes that can get our athletes the ball quickly in space.

Once we have put the RPO play together, we begin to discuss with the quarterback the objective. We’ll diagram up the base defensive look against the play and then begin to go over the ways the run portion could be stopped. We will then discuss how the ‘conflict defender’ relates to the third level and its coverage, thus providing our quarterback base knowledge about the run portion of the RPO. Finally, we will converse which match-ups in relation to our formation, will give us the best chance to have success.

Once we are on the practice field, we will work specific parts of the RPO during early individual periods. For example, we work two different five minute run mesh portions each day. One takes place before our team stretch to work particularly on the motion mesh or ‘jet’ mesh on our outside runs. Our centers, quarterbacks, slot receivers, and running backs are involved during this period.

The second five-minute period is a traditional run mesh between the RB and the quarterback. We work all the variations and mesh angles of our game plan at this time. In both five-minute periods we train the quarterbacks eyes by placing a coach in the area of where we believe the ‘conflict defender’ would be and flash numbers using our fingers during the mesh. This is similar to what we’ll do with quick game reads or other pass concept reads where we’re forcing the QB to focus on a defender. As he becomes comfortable with the mesh, we’ll begin to move the coach ‘conflict’ defender around on the snap, which simulates a bit more of a real look.

Regarding the exterior pass parts of the RPO, we use several individual or group periods to work out timing and routes. We split our receivers and quarterbacks into two different sides and work different quick game/quick screen concepts. Once again, we’ll place a coach as the ‘conflict defender’ requiring the quarterback to train his eyes toward the second level on the snap or mesh.

The final portion of teaching the RPO is putting it back together as a whole. There are several ways we believe this can be done. Our favorite is to bring all the offensive components back together, excluding the offensive line. We line up the entire formation and place one coach on the field as a defender. He will represent the ‘read’ defender for our quarterback to play against. As the season progresses, and our Quarterbacks become more comfortable, we add defensive backs into the equation. We have corners present press technique/soft technique on the outside receivers or safeties roll from 2-High down to 1-High in conjunction with the ‘conflict defender’. We’ll play this 6-on-1/6-on-3 drill for a number of reps with all our game plan RPOs. We feel this has been a great drill to gain the necessary reps we need to become smooth without creating long, drawn out team periods in order to get all the scenarios.

We’ve found the best way to get the quarterback to play fast and confident is to break the RPO down into is basic parts. We rep them individually on air, put them back together, and approach is much like a 3-on-1 fast break in basketball. Our quarterback is the point guard with the ball and he is looking to distribute quickly. In most of our drill work with our quarterback throughout practice, we place some sort of body in the area where his eyes should be and flash numbers or move creating a subconscious trigger which relates to what he should do on game day.”

Jesse Montalto, the head coach at Ellsworth Community College believes in teaching the entire concept together, but admits the biggest challenge is getting the quarterback to know who he is responsible for. So he teaches this in the most simplistic way possible: Equating it to numbers. “If it’s a five man box, the line has the four down and Mike or the three down and the two inside backer, which means the quarterback has number six,” Coach Montalto told us. “In a six man box, the quarterback knows he is responsible for the defensive end and be ready to triple off him. It’s installed in everything we do from the beginning; whatever the run game is in the RPO is in. If zone is day one, then all the run pass options with it are in with it. If power or counter is in, any RPOs off these run action are automatically in. We do it all the time.