The Push Screen RPO is easy to install and it’s a concept that can be executed on the youth football level. This run pass option gives the QB an easy pre-snap read. The push motion will stretch the defense out horizontally. It is also a great way to get your athletes the ball in space or at the very least it will lighten up the box. This concept features a pre-snap read and an optional post-snap read.
QB Push Screen RPO Rules
If the defense doesn’t expand with the push motion leaving us with a 2 on 1 advantage over the defense, it is an automatic throw to the push motion player. If the defense rolls a safety down or a linebacker expands with the push motion the QB hands to the (F) on the Inside Zone. If you want to have a post-snap read, the QB will give the ball to the (F) if the defensive end sits or comes up-field. If the defensive end squeezes down, then the QB pulls the ball and runs (if the defense expands with the motion). We’re not an Inside Zone Read team so we don’t have the QB execute a post-snap read of the defensive end. I prefer to throw the Push Screen or handoff to the F on IZ.
You can see that the defense doesn’t expand with the push motion player so we have a 2 on 1 advantage out in space. This is an automatic throw to the (T). The offensive line and TE will always block and assume it is Inside Zone.
QB: Throw push screen. (defense doesn’t expand)
F: Fake inside zone.
T: Push motion on the QB’s command, catch pass and get up-field. It’s important that the push motion player doesn’t go or lean forward on his motion until the ball is snapped.
WB: Inside Zone blocking path, combo off onto linebacker.
RT: Inside Zone blocking path.
RG: Inside Zone blocking path.
C: Inside Zone blocking path.
LG: Inside Zone blocking path.
LT: Inside Zone blocking path.
Y: Inside Zone blocking path.
X: Stalk block the CB. This is a big block and it’s important that stalk blocking is practice.
(SEE ALSO) Stalk Blocking Technique for Wide Receivers
QB Push Screen Vertical
This is a nice wrinkle to the Push Screen RPO. If you are throwing the Push Screen and notice that the defense is aggressively playing the push motion player, hit them with the vertical by the X. After you gut the defense a few times with Push Screen the CB will start to aggressively playing the Push. Once you notice that you hit the defense over the top with the vertical/ fade. Your X has to do a nice job of faking a stalk block then taking off vertically. We want him to fade away from the middle safety.
C: Inside-over pass block.
RG: Inside-over pass block.
RT: Inside-over pass block.
LG: Inside-over pass block.
LT: Inside-over pass block.
Y: Inside-over pass block.
QB: Catch snap, plant and throw to the X on the Vertical.
T: Push motion, fake like he is going to catch the screen. A good fake is needed. Motion player cannot go or lean forward until the football is snapped.
F: Fake Inside Zone. A good fake is critical.
WB: Inside-over pass block.
X: Fake stalk block, go vertical. It’s important that the X executes an outside release after his fake stalk block. We want to stay away from that middle safety.
Related Content: Inside Zone Wham Series
Related Content: Now Screen RPO from the Outside Zone