Football Toolbox

Quick Guide: RPOs for Every Run in Your Offense

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This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.

Gerry Yonchiuk, Head Coach, Central York HS, PA has several reasons to run 1st Level RPOs from his Glazier Drive presentation: Air Raid Offense: Quick Game & RPO’s for Every Run in Your Offense

  • WRS Give 100% Every Play – I MIGHT GET THE BALL!
  • Blocking WRS = Bored WRS
  • Make a Bad Play Call, A Good Play
  • M.O.F. = Razor Screen / Hashmark = Fast Screen/Stacks Fast Screen
  • Sets Up Play Action
  • Pull Safeties Out of the Box
  • Ball Outside the “Rails”? = BLOCK MDM

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This video presents a system for implementing RPOs (run-pass options) with existing run plays. The coach focuses on quick screens as pass options based on ball position and defensive alignment. Key points include:

  1. Communication System: Receivers must make “me-you” calls on every play (similar to linemen’s calls) to determine blocking assignments, especially critical for no-huddle offenses.
  2. Ball Position Rules:
    • When ball is inside the “rails” (between tackles): Use fast screens to the inside receiver
    • When ball is on/outside the hash: Fast screens go to the outside receiver
    • Receivers must identify and block the “most dangerous man”
  3. Formation Variations:
    • 2×2 formations: Inside/outside receiver responsibilities based on ball position
    • 3×1 formations: #3 receiver runs bubble/razor routes while #1 and #2 block
    • Can be run from pistol or offset formations
  4. Decision Making:
    • Quarterbacks can abort fakes and throw immediately based on pre-snap reads
    • Play design allows taking advantage of aggressive inside pursuit
    • One example mentioned completing 11 of these plays in a single game

The system creates simple decisions that even younger quarterbacks can execute, turning routine plays into potentially big gains by exploiting defensive alignments.