Tribe Trips RPO's v 3-3

T

Sweep RPO with RB Option to Throw

Our primary RPO builds directly off the sweep action we've already established. Everything looks like base sweep at the snap: motion, blocking rules, the whole package. The difference is the toss to the RB, who catches it in stride and immediately reads the defense. (Figure 19: Diagram showing sweep action—toss to RB on the perimeter, center releasing on a post route up the seam, RB deciding run or throw based on LB flow.)

Figure 19

The RB has two choices:

• Run the ball if the edge crashes or the LB flows outside (standard sweep continuation).

• Throw to the center running a post route if the LB sits in the box or cheats toward the run fake.

The center's post is timed to hit the seam just as the RB plants—it's a high-percentage throw because the middle of a 3-3 often gets vacated when they pursue the sweep. We've hit this for chunk plays when LBs overcommit to stopping the run we've shown all game.

Figure 20

Sweep RPO with OR Flag Route

A slight variation flips the target: instead of the center releasing deep, the Y sells a block on the LB (coming off the line of scrimmage like he's "Love" blocking), then stems outside on a flag route (corner route breaking to the pylon). (Figure 20: Diagram—Yvchips or fakes block on LB, releases on flag; RB tosses sweep fake, reads LB pursuit, throws flag if LB flows to run.)

This works beautifully against LBs who key the receivers or try to disrupt underneath routes. The OR's initial block fake holds the LB inside long enough for the flag to develop, and the RB throws on the run if the LB doesn't drop. Again, the RB reads one man (usually the LB) and decides: hand off/run or throw the flag.

Figure 21

Spread RPO (Full Drop-Back Look)

For games where we want to shift the formation into more of a spread attack, we keep the center and X in to block (creating a protected pocket) while the remaining players release into routes. (This is still from our base trips personnel—no major shifts.) The RB gets the toss or pitch on sweep action, reads the same key (LB or edge), and chooses run or pass to one of the released receivers (see Figure 21). The QB is asked to chip the DE on his way into the flat.

In all three of these sweep-based RPOs, the RB is the decision-maker. Historically, the big downside to RB-as-thrower RPOs has been the visual tell: when the QB shifts to RB position pre-snap or at the mesh, smart defenses notice and adjust coverage or pressure accordingly. We've only used this package heavily when we have a rare dual-threat RB who throws as well as—or better than—our QB. That doesn't happen often; most years our QB remains the superior passer, so we limit these to situational spots or specific matchups where the RB's arm is a legitimate weapon.

Figure 22

Weak-Side Toss RPO (Flood Concept)

Our other main RPO comes off a weak-side toss—going against the grain of our strong trips side. (Figure 22: Diagram—toss to RB weak side, three receivers flooding the field at different levels: one deep, one intermediate, one underneath/flat.)

The toss looks like counter or weak-side sweep, but we flood the weak side with three levels of receivers (deep post/corner, crossing route, flat/out). The RB catches the toss, reads the weak-side pursuit (usually the WDE or WCB), and decides:

• Run if the edge softens or pursuit overcommits.

• Throw to the best open level if they crash the run fake.

This floods the field horizontally and vertically, exploiting the isolated weak-side CB who often gets outnumbered or out-leveraged when we go away from trips.

These RPOs keep the 3-3 honest. When they've loaded the box to stop our base runs, the threat of the quick pass forces hesitation. When they drop or widen, the run hits. The RB read simplifies everything—no complicated mesh-point decisions, just eyes on one key and react.

The final piece of our passing attack is the screen game, which we use to punish aggressive blitzes and over-pursuit from the 3-3. Screens tie everything together—drawing from our run fakes, exploiting the LB's aggressiveness, and giving our playmakers space in space.