Some battles just aren’t worth picking. You can tweak your game plan, hammer technique, and prep all week long, but come game day, certain defenders will still come out on top. Smart offenses don’t bang their heads against that wall—they find a workaround.
Joe Moorhead sums it up: “If you can’t block them, read them.” That’s the heart of today’s RPO (run-pass option) style. It’s not about flexing muscle against a tougher opponent—it’s about outthinking them, flipping the numbers in your favor, and letting your stars shine in open space.
Why Watch the Defender?
Offenses win with three edges: more guys where it counts, better angles, and smarter matchups. If the defense stacks the box, a straight-up run play’s toast before the snap. That’s where an RPO steps in—it messes with a defender’s head and puts him in a bind.
Moorhead keeps it real: “We’re not gonna ask our guys to pull off something they can’t handle, mentally or physically.” Say your left tackle’s no match for a beastly edge rusher. Don’t bother chipping or doubling—just read that defender. Make him freeze. Whatever he chooses, he’s wrong.
Check out Moorhead breaking it down:
Video: Reason to Read Defenders and Create Conflict
Messing with Every Layer
Reading a defender isn’t just an edge trick—it hits every level of the defense:
- Up Front (Defensive Line): If the end crashes inside, the QB yanks the ball and bolts outside. If he hangs wide, hand it off and let the run rip.
- Middle (Linebackers): A linebacker chasing the run leaves his spot—perfect for a quick slant or glance pass right behind him.
- Deep (Defensive Backs): Safeties jumping up to stop the run? That opens the door for a deep bomb or a fast toss to the sideline.
Defenses pride themselves on quick reactions, but make them pause for even half a tick, and you’ve got the upper hand.
Matchups Trump Playbooks
Top play-callers don’t just scribble X’s and O’s—they solve problems. Every week, they pinpoint the “game wreckers”—those defenders who can torch your plan solo.
Paul Pasqualoni, who coached Moorhead back at UConn, pounded this home: “Don’t let the wreckers ruin your day.” So, you dodge the bad fights. Skip running at a monster tackle or throwing a receiver into a corner he can’t shake. Use shifts, motion, and reads to set up the matchups you want.
Work Smarter, Not Louder
Too many teams try to bulldoze through a defense, even when the odds stink. The sharpest coaches don’t push that rock uphill—they flip the script and stress out the defense.
With RPOs, you can:
- Outnumber them without begging for extra blockers.
- Keep defenders second-guessing and a step slow.
- Free up your playmakers instead of jamming them into a pile.
Sure, execution seals the deal, but how you set it up is the difference. Want an offense that bends and wins? Listen to Moorhead: If you can’t block them, read them.
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