Good morning. Another day, another orbit.
Offensive Concept: 11p 3x1 Zone Stick
Defensive Structure: Open Zone
Breakdown: I classify this RPO as neither a first-level or a second-level, but rather “IS HE OPEN?”
Here’s our dilemma:
The run scheme is zone read with the C gap defender unblocked and to be read. The pass option (the stick concept) doesn’t put that defender in conflict. Instead, the flat defender is in conflict — he can either cover the stick route or the orbit.
So who is the quarterback reading?
If you want me to be completely honest with you, I don’t think he’s reading a defender at all. He’s just looking at the stick route and if that man comes open then he’s going to rip it before the defensive end can become an issue.
Therefore, this RPO isn’t fixing a numbers problem in the run box but rather a “make them pay” RPO where you throw to the open guy.
Our own stick RPO is also run off zone but we “lock” the defensive end thus bumping the quarterback’s read to the inside linebacker (the 6th defender out of 10p). In that way, our version is “more sound",” but this is just as effective — your quarterback must be decisive for it to work though.