Coach Brian Flinn, the passing game coordinator and WR coach at princeton university shows a ton of game footage, explaining how they teach and run their RPO's. Coach Flinn has had great success in any down and distance scenario running quick hitting RPO's and the wrinkles that build off of them.
The RPO Evolution: Mastering Run-Pass Option Concepts and Design
Dive into the origins and advanced applications of Run-Pass Option (RPO) concepts in this comprehensive course. Led by an experienced coach who witnessed the birth of RPOs, you'll learn a systematic approach to offensive play design, focusing on the 'Who, What, When, Where, and Why' framework. Uncover how to create offensive advantages through space, numbers, and leverage, and gain practical insights into implementing foundational RPOs like 'Draw Stick' to stress defenses and maximize your playmakers' potential. This course is designed to equip coaches with a deep understanding of RPO philosophy and practical tools for game planning.
What You'll Learn
• Understand the historical context and evolution of RPO concepts, including early innovations like 'Draw Stick'.
• Master the 'Who, What, When, Where, and Why' framework for evaluating and integrating any offensive concept into your game plan.
• Learn to design offensive plays that create advantages through manipulating space, numbers, and leverage against defensive structures.
• Identify and exploit 'conflict players' within defensive schemes using RPOs.
• Develop a systematic approach to RPO implementation, considering timing, footwork, and defensive reads for optimal execution.
• Gain practical knowledge of how to structure RPOs to prioritize the run while maintaining potent pass options.
Who Is This For?
This course is ideal for offensive coordinators, position coaches, head coaches, and aspiring football strategists at all levels (high school, college, and professional) who want to deepen their understanding of RPO concepts, improve their play design methodology, and gain a competitive edge in modern football offense.
Watch Legendary Coach Noel Mazzone spend an hour on the white board sharing Philosophy's when it comes to the RPO Game!
By Joe Matheson
Offensive Coordinator – University of Wisconsin–River Falls
NCAA Division III National Champion | #1 Ranked Offense (555.5 YPG)
Most RPO systems live near the line of scrimmage.
The Top Gun Offense attacks beyond it.
In The Top Gun Offense: Downfield RPOs, Joe Matheson breaks down how to turn simple conflict reads into explosive vertical production. This course teaches you how to stretch second- and third-level defenders with built-in downfield throws that complement your core run game — without overcomplicating quarterback reads.
These concepts are designed to punish over-aggressive linebackers, safeties who fit too hard in the run game, and corners who trigger too quickly on perimeter screens.
✔ Downfield RPO Structure
How to safely build vertical throws into your run game while protecting the quarterback and offensive line.
✔ Slot Pop Pass
A detailed breakdown of one of the most efficient ways to attack inside leverage and aggressive second-level defenders.
✔ Avoiding “Getting Stuck” on RPOs
How to coach decision-making so quarterbacks don’t hesitate or force throws.
✔ Glance Routes
Attacking space behind linebackers with simple, high-efficiency reads.
✔ Speed Out Variations
Timing, leverage, and route depth that maximize completion percentage.
✔ Tailback RPOs
Creative ways to involve the TB in downfield conflict schemes.
Coach Matheson shows how to:
Turn 5-yard boxes into 25-yard explosives
Simplify quarterback reads while increasing production
Pair vertical shots with your core run concepts
Stress safeties and linebackers on every snap
If you want to move beyond bubble screens and add true downfield explosiveness to your RPO package, this course provides the blueprint.
This course provides a complete teaching and installation framework for a multiple-level RPO system, showing how to build a structured, scalable RPO package that works at every level of football. Designed for simplicity in teaching and complexity for defenses, this system creates conflict defenders at the box, edge, and secondary levels, allowing the offense to dictate defensive behavior instead of reacting to it.
Rather than isolated plays, this course teaches RPOs as a progressive system—from quarterback development, to rule structure, to layered reads that attack different defensive levels. Coaches will learn how to teach decision-making, timing, spacing, and execution so RPOs become a reliable part of the offense, not a high-risk gadget package.
The course blends QB development, concept teaching, and structure-based rules so that the RPO system remains simple for players and flexible for coaches.
Dive deep into the world of Run-Pass Options (RPOs) with former Division I Offensive Coordinator and seasoned coach, Tim Lester. This comprehensive course transcends offensive philosophies, demonstrating how to seamlessly integrate RPOs into various schemes, from traditional spread to modern Shanahan systems. Coach Lester, a veteran with experience from Division III to the NFL, shares his invaluable insights on building, teaching, and executing RPOs effectively, ensuring your quarterback and offense are equipped to exploit defensive vulnerabilities. Through detailed film analysis, scheme breakdowns, and practical examples, you'll learn to adapt RPOs to your team's strengths and maximize their impact on every down.
What You'll Learn
• Understand the foundational principles of RPO design and integration across different offensive schemes.
• Develop a systematic approach to teaching quarterbacks how to read defenses and make critical RPO decisions.
• Identify key defensive indicators and learn how to leverage RPOs against various coverage rotations and blitz packages.
• Explore diverse RPO concepts, including zone read RPOs, counter RPOs, and specialized plays like tackle trap RPOs.
• Learn to adapt RPO concepts for both full-width spread formations and condensed sets, optimizing their effectiveness regardless of personnel or alignment.
• Gain practical strategies for communicating RPO reads and protections to quarterbacks and running backs, minimizing errors and maximizing offensive efficiency.
• Analyze real-game film examples to observe successful RPO execution and understand the nuances of quarterback decision-making under pressure.
Who Is This For?
This course is ideal for football coaches at all levels (youth, high school, college, professional) seeking to enhance their offensive playbook with effective RPO concepts. Offensive coordinators, position coaches (especially quarterback and offensive line coaches), and head coaches looking to modernize their offensive philosophy will find immense value in Coach Lester's practical approach and extensive experience.