Fast Feet with Jaxson Dart
One of the most important factors to making the RPO work.
The QB’s role in the RPO is to give the offense the highest probability of success between the choices of run or pass. The work is done in the mind to decide, but after the decision, the success in the footwork is the mechanical factor that makes the play work. Specifically, fast footwork.
There is not time to waste once the QB makes his decision.
Post-Snap RPO Footwork to the Right
The Situation: glance-bubble RPO off zone against MOFC Man. Because of the structure and personnel from the offense (11p), the QB has a numbers problem he needs to fix — he chooses to mesh with the RB though there’s no need because there is no conflict defender. This play is, once again, an example showing that RPOs are more about number problems and space than conflict defenders. Dart’s mesh doesn’t seem all that serious and he seems intent on pulling the ball from the get go. The only reason this matters is for timing purposes. He can’t afford to be late on this play (or any), so the speed of the footwork matters all the more when he decides to mesh.
Dart plays with his left foot up so all he has to do to get in a position for the mesh is drop his right foot. When throwing an RPO to the right with run action to the right, all he needs to do is realign his hips to the throw with a slight right step with his left foot. The timing is great regardless of the mesh as he starts his motion about a yard before the break of the route. The fast feet make this play work.
Post-Snap RPO Footwork to the Left
Unlike the play prior this play is more so attacking a spatial advantage than fixing a numbers problem. The defense is playing a three high safety scheme with plenty of cushion everywhere. The left side linebacker could be the extra fitter as could the right side linebacker. None of that matters as Dart chooses the outside hitch further emphasizing this is more about space than putting a defender in conflict.
With Dart’s left foot still forward he has to hop to get aligned with the RB’s track. That requires another hop to get realigned to the left to be in a position to make the throw. His feet are moving as fast as he can with these hops. There isn’t a lot of wasted movement. It’s efficient. However, I would be remiss to ignore that the cornerback’s reaction is a big factor to making the play work. The cornerback is staring at this WR and once he sees the WR settle into the hitch he looks to be squaring up getting ready to make a tackle as opposed to playing for the ball.
So Dart’s quick feet are efficient at getting him in a position to rip the hitch, the cornerback does help.
Pre-Snap RPO Footwork to the Right
While the other two looked at post-snap RPOs with the QB going through a mesh, this play is a throw now as if the ball is on fire type of play. And to make it harder, the play is to the side of the QB’s throwing arm. On top of that, the play is horizontal requiring a 180 degree turn on the hips.
I’ve seen plenty of QBs choose to hop, almost like the play prior, to get there left foot at the target, but Dart chooses to step back with his right and do more of a pivot off that right foot to spin to the right. He does have a slight hop, but it’s not as dramatic as it could be. So there are really two ways to get the ball out as fast as possible on this type of throw — pivot or hop.
When the QB pivots like Dart does here, the weight moves forward fast. You can see this in Dart’s finish with his right leg coming forward with his weight. I’m thinking this through still, but it seems that Dart’s slight hop off the pivot does a good job ensuring he gets his weight in the back foot during the throw. Sometimes the weight seems to be too far forward during the pivot causing the QB to miss bad. That hop does just enough to reaffirm his weight in the back foot to get the ball out fast.
The Point
These three examples showcase the importance of getting the ball out as fast as possible on RPOs. There must be a sense of urgency from the QB. Not only are offensive linemen moving upfield, but to properly attack space and numbers advantages, the ball has to get there fast to do it.
Pivots and hops show up often watching QBs get through these plays. The key is proper weight transfer because they do happen so fast. Matching up that weight with the speed of the feet is key to making the play work.
Until tomorrow,
Emory Wilhite
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