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 doesn’t move, the offense is assumed to have numbers in the box. As a result, because the offense has a better matchup in that situation, they run the ball.
This must-have resource covers RPOs from A to Z. Not only does it detail the reasons why teams should utilize an RPO-based offense, it also explains in a step-by-step manner how coaches can teach and implement a modern RPO offense into their team’s offensive system. In addition, THE RPO BIBLE: Offensive Game Planning and Play Calling in the Age of the RPO reviews the basic RPO concepts that have made this innovative offensive approach so successful, including the quick game, new screens, zone play-action passes, the core gap scheme, the wing-T as well as other unique formations, and tempo/one-word calls.
The book also pinpoints the steps that coaches need to undertake when game planning and playcalling RPOs during a game. This discussion includes an overview of factors that coaches should consider during distinctive play-call scenarios, such as down-and-distance, special situations, field position-based.
The book concludes by discussing the fact that the game of football has evolved over the years. No only has the advent of RPOs been one of the newest trends in football, it’s expected to last for the foreseeable future. Arguably, the three letters – RPO – have dominated much of the football world over the last several years and will continue to be the focus of coaches for years to come. THE RPO BIBLE: Offensive Game Planning and Play Calling in the Age of the RPO explains “how” and “why” and “what” coaches should do to ensure that RPOs have a positive impact on their programs.
