These are the concepts I coach. The RPO rules come first because they decide what the perimeter does on every single snap — once your receivers know those three rules cold, you stop guessing on the edge. After that comes the concept library, paired the way I teach it, so a quarterback learns two answers at a time instead of one.
RPO Concept Rules
- If there's 1 receiver on the perimeter, he'll run a stop route.
- If there are 2 receivers on the same side, the outside receiver runs a now route while the inside receiver blocks the most dangerous defender.
- If there are 3 receivers on the perimeter, the 3rd receiver runs a bubble route while the other two block the two most dangerous defenders.
Count the perimeter, run your rule. That's it. It's the same answer every week no matter what the front does, which is exactly why players can play fast in it.
Simple RPO Concepts
- On inside run plays, do not block the perimeter.
- On outside run plays, do not block the backside.
- If one WR is away from the play-side perimeter, the backside WR runs a slant.
- If one WR is away from the play-side perimeter, #1 WR runs an in-route and #2 WR runs a post (2-high) or a fly (1-high).
Notice how much of this is about what you don't block. Half of making an RPO work is teaching kids to leave the right man alone so the quarterback has a clean read to throw off of.
The Concept Library
Here is the full pass concept list, paired the way I install it. Each pairing gives the quarterback a two-sided answer — one side that works against zone, one that works against man, or one high and one low.
- Snag-Flag concept
- Ohio concept / Slant Cross
- Vertical Switch concept / Slop concept
- Rail Vertical concept / Stick concept
- Vertical Cross concept / Scissor concept
- Wolf concept / Smash concept
- Mills concept / Dig concept
- Pivot concept / Dagger concept
- Slot Fade / Drive concept
- Return concept / Whip concept
- Option Route concept / Sluggo concept
- Slants concept / Go-Vertical concept
- Wheel Post concept / Sail concept
- Hitch concept / Double Out Route concept
- Fin concept / Drag-N-Go concept
- Slay concept / Double Post concept
- Smash concept / Twist concept
- Stick concept / China concept
- Scissor concept / Wheel Post concept
Then the 3-man concepts, for when you're keeping bodies in to protect or you've only got three out:
- 3-man — Trash concept / Shave concept
- 3-man — Wisconsin concept / Stick Nod concept
- 3-man Dig / Sail — Scissor Pivot
- Pick Wheel concept — Slant / Bubble concept
- Shock concept / Spin concept
- Slant Wheel concept — Curl / Flat concept
Pair the Concepts, Then Call Them
A concept list on its own doesn't win games. What wins is knowing which one to call, when, and against what — and that's the playcalling side of the work. The pairings above are built so you always have a complement: if they take away the Smash, you already have the Twist. If they sit on the Dig, the Mills is the same picture with the safety pulled up.
If you want help installing any of this with your offense — the RPO rules, a concept package, or the call sheet that ties it together — reach out. Phone is (912) 665-7331email is coachantoniothompson@gmail.com, and I'm based in Savannah, GA.
If there's 1 receiver on the perimeter, he'll run a stop route. Same rule, every snap.
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