Comprehensive analysis of the Run Pass Option (RPO) in Madden 21
Since Madden 20, Run Pass Option has been a hot topic. In Madden 21, Utilizing Run Pass Option (RPO) can be very helpful to diversify your playbook and fool your opponents, so knowing how to use them is very important. By analyzing PRO, players can improve their gaming experience in Madden 21, obtain higher victories and sufficient MUT 21 Coins, and finally establish their ideal ultimate team. So how to use RPO is very important in Madden 21, This blog will introduce in detail what is PRO, How to use it, and more. So let’s dive into a comprehensive analysis of the Run Pass Option (RPO) in Madden 21.
What is the Run Pass Option?
Run Pass Option became an incredibly popular term over the last few years. So what is Run Pass Option? Like the name may allude to, the Run Pass Option (RPO) is a suite of plays where you have the option to either run or pass depending on what you’re seeing from the defense. The Run Pass Option is just as it sounds, a play that gives the quarterback the opportunity to run the ball himself, handoff to a running back, or pass the ball depending on how the defense is set and then how they react upon the snap. There are three types of RPOs in the game, classified as Peek, Alert, and Read, each of which works a little bit differently.
Madden 21 naturally had to have RPOs back again this year, as they are going to continue to be a force this upcoming season. This differs from normal plays in Madden 21 where you are normally locked into the binary of either passing the football or running the football. With this added level of control though, comes a layer of complexity that might confuse more casual players. It’s probably the most complicated thing you can do on offense in Madden 21, so we wouldn’t recommend it to someone that doesn’t really know how to run RPO properly. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get you there though.
How to use Run Pass Option in Madden 21?
Run Pass Option plays in Madden 21 can be found in your playbook in their own special section. The easiest way to locate that is to sort your plays by Play Type and tabbing over until you see the section for RPOs. There are three types of RPO plays Peek, Alert, and Read. They all function a bit differently from each other despite having the same similar end result, so let’s break down how to run each of them properly. What they do all share in common though is that they are high skill level plays, with high risk/high reward elements when used correctly.
1. PEEK RPO (Run Pass Option)
Peek RPO plays to give you the opportunity to react to a defensive back’s movement and then decide to either pass or run the ball. It is the first of the RPO choices, which has two parts to it. At the start of the play, the running back will run in front of the QB, with you having the option to press X on PS4 to hand it off to him. If you do not press X, then you will keep the ball and very quickly have to make the decision on where to throw it. This decision should be made based on how the linebacker reacts to the play. If you see him crashing in on the defense, you will want to throw it, but you can run it if he stays back. You have to be careful not to hold onto the ball for too long on a throw, as you may end up getting an ineligible man downfield penalty as a result. It’s challenging because you only have a second or two really to decide to run the ball otherwise you’re locked into passing, and if you take too long to pass, you might get hit with an illegal man down the field penalty, so you really need to identify what’s going on with the defense very quickly and react correctly, especially with Peek RPO.
If you hold the left trigger to view the pre-play overview of the field, you’ll see a defender with a P over their head. You need to watch what that person does when the ball is hiked. If they attack the line of scrimmage by rushing towards you and the RB, you should pass the ball as logically, one more person crashing the line is one less person guarding the pass. If that defender hangs back though, you should run the ball as there should be more of an opening to find a running lane.
In any case, if you decide to hand the ball off, press X on PS4 or A on Xbox One quickly after snapping to run the ball if that’s what you decide to do. Otherwise, press the button of the receiver you want to pass it to.
2. ALERT RPO (Run Pass Option)
Alert RPO plays are different from Peek, as the running back is the first option here. Alert RPO plays will automatically hand the ball off if you don’t make a choice quick enough. So in a sense, they are a little easier to run. Once you snap the ball, you will hand off the ball to the running back automatically if you do not press anything. However, if you do press a receiver button before the running back gets the handoff, you will end up throwing it. This works well for very quick slants or other types of plays that get the ball out of the QB’s hands quickly.
However, you have less flexibility in waiting for a pass to develop. You have to in a split-second decision if you’re going to let the hand of animation go off, or pass the ball right away. So if you want to hand the ball off, just do nothing, or if you see an open pass lane for your receiver, quickly hit the button of the person you want to throw it to.
3. READ RPO (Run Pass Option)
The Read RPO is arguably the most complex of the three types of RPO plays in Madden 21, which is the most difficult of the trio, but you also have the most options. Read RPOs functionally similarly to Peek RPO, except you also have the option of running the ball with the QB. Again, you need to see what the defender is doing and essentially in a split-second if it’s best that you run with the RB along their planned path, pass the football or take the ball in a completely different direction with your QB.
The beauty of this play, if you can run it effectively and make the right choice, is it’s difficult to cover all three of those options effectively at once. So if you can very quickly find the flaw in the defense, you can likely exploit it for big yardage. Once again, if you want to run the football, press X or A depending on your console of choice, and if you want to pass hit the button of the receiver you want. Finally, if you want to scramble with the QB, press and hold the R2 button on PS4 or RT on Xbox One.
That’s the basics of how to run RPO in Madden 21. If you’re still having a hard time, feel free to leave a comment below. Run Pass Option should be a big deal in Madden 21 yet again, so learning how to execute them, as well as how to defend them is going to be vital to your long-term success online this year.
