THE RPO BIBLE: Offensive Game Planning and Play Calling in the Age of the RPO

THE RPO BIBLE: Offensive Game Planning and Play Calling in the Age of the RPO is a one-of-a-kind text that provides a comprehensive overview of the offensive concept known as RPOs (run-pass option). An RPO is a strategic concept that creates problems for the defense by giving the quarterback the option of handing the ball to a running back or passing it to a receiver. The concept is relatively simple and straightforward. The play essentially looks like a run; the offensive line blocks run; the running back anticipates that he will be given the hand-off from the quarterback. As he’s executing the play, the quarterback reads one of two players on the defense – either a linebacker or a safety – and depending on their actions, determines if he should hand the ball off or pull it out and throw it. If the player being read (the linebacker or the safety) moves towards the direction of the running back, the quarterback pulls and throws the ball. In turn, if the defensive player being read does