The RPO, or Run Pass Option, is currently a big part of the Canadian football game.
Here is a brief intro to this concept.
What is it?
When I think of an RPO I think of a Run Play where the Offence is reading a certain defender. This means that the count in the run game DOES NOT INCLUDE that player. Everyone else is blocked, and the Quarterback will make their decision based on the actions of the Read Defender.
If the Quarterback feels that the Read Defender is playing the Run Game, the QB will pull the ball and pass. If the Quarterback feels that the Read Defender is playing the Pass, the QB will hand it off.
At the same time, some of the Receivers are running routes. Typically there is a route being run that stresses the Read Defender. This way, if the QB pulls the ball, the Offence feels as though they have a high percentage pass available.
Pros and Cons
These look great when executed perfectly. Sometimes a Receiver can break wide open and the Offence is able to gain big yardage. RPOs can also be stressful for the Defence in the Run Game.
But the “read” aspect puts a lot of pressure on the QB. The QB should be confident in exactly what they’re looking for in order to make their decision. Any hesitation can cause a turnover or a broken play.
Packaging
In theory, you could RPO any Run Play. Again the key is having everyone on the same page when it comes to WHO the Read Player is. This player should not be blocked, and the count should work around them.
Below we see a clip of an RPO with a Zone Run. The Offence is choosing to read the backside LB. Every other defender in the Box is blocked, and the QB reads the LB.
You can clearly see the Defensive reaction in the clip above. The Read Player decides to flip their hips and play the Pass, which tells the QB to hand the ball off.
This is an important point: The DEFENCE dictates what happens here. It’s the Defensive players and coaches that get to decide whether the Offence will Run or Pass. I see this as an advantage for the Defensive side of the ball.
Routes
Again, you can package any Route Concepts to go along with your RPO. Obviously the most stressful routes are ones that should be covered by the Read Defender.
In the clip below (which is the same play as the clip above), we see the Offence running a Slant Route. This route would replace the LBs location, if the LB were to play the Run.
Defensive Responses
There are many ways for the Defence to try and slow down these RPOs:
- Play Man-to-Man Coverage to remove the conflict of the Read Defender.
- Use some Stunts to assist in the Run Game.
- Dictate the decision and force the Offence into Running or Passing (whichever they are least strong at executing).
Final Thoughts
This brief introduction doesn’t even scratch the surface of this topic. RPOs are becoming very complex across the Canadian Football landscape, and so are the defensive responses.
The first step for any Defence is trying to understand the RPOs they will face. This will allow you to develop a plan for your players so they know exactly how to react when they see this type of play developing.
All the best,
Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
IG: @jonsvecx
Twitter: @jonsvecx
Jon Svec is the author of the e-book Canadian Football Chalk Talk: Defensive Basics.