Brent Dearmon, Head Coach, North Alabama gives his quarterbacks three tools to handle the D-gap player/Apex defender in RPOs. His focus is on a concept-based rather than player-based approach. Instead of identifying specific positions (nickel, Sam, boundary safety), they teach based on "fitters" - whoever is filling that defensive gap.
His full presentation on 20 & 21 Personnel Run Pass Options: D-Gap Reads to Control Run Fitters is available on Glazier Drive.
Key Takeaways
- The main options for handling the D-gap defender are:
- Hand the ball off to the tailback (primary option)
- Throw based on the D-gap player's movement
- Allow the quarterback to pull and run (in specific blitz situations)
- They discuss their "one RPO" concept, which includes:
- Flexibility in the C-gap to C-gap run blocking (can be inside zone, outside zone, power, counter)
- A field-side route that is always a pre-snap read
- An automatic conversion to a go route if there's a "low corner" (defender within 4 yards)
- The slot and boundary receivers as post-snap read options
- The speaker explains that modern defenses often place their run fitters opposite the tailback to help defend against RPOs, which has influenced their teaching approach.
- For the slot receiver route, they specifically teach turning out rather than in because:
- It creates an additional 4 yards of space from the nickel defender
- It complements their go/flat concept against quarters coverage
- It gives receivers better opportunities to catch and get vertical after the catch
The overall emphasis is on teaching RPOs based on defensive gap responsibility rather than specific defensive positions, allowing for more flexible and adaptable offensive execution.