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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
RPO Zone Alert Bubble is a run/pass option built off inside zone action from Pistol Doubles Y Off Stack. The offensive line and HB execute zone blocking to the play side while the QB reads the alley/flat defender to decide between handing off or pulling and throwing the bubble screen to the stacked receiver releasing outside. The single receiver to the opposite side runs a vertical clear-out route to occupy the deep defender on that side, and the read progression is run first, then bubble screen based on the number of defenders in the box and flat leverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side flat defender pre-snap: if he is sitting in the flat with outside leverage, the bubble is a low value throw and you should stay on run help. Key the linebacker fit on the zone run; if the Mike and Will flow hard to the play side with no hesitation, the box is winning and the run should be pulled. Identify single high versus two high shells before the snap, since single high leaves the bubble side defender more isolated and easier to read. Post-snap, look for a user-controlled defender flying downhill on the run fake, which is the biggest tell to bail into the bubble screen immediately. Defenses that spam Cover 3 Cloud or Cover 4 with hard flat corners take away the bubble and force the offense to live on the zone run instead.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap: if the defense has a light box, take the zone run automatically since the numbers favor the offense.
If the flat or curl-to-flat defender crashes down on the run action, pull the ball and throw the bubble to the stacked receiver for an easy leverage win.
Use the outside vertical route as a pre-snap alert against single high safeties, since it can hold the deep defender and open up the bubble even further.
Pair this play with HB Dive and Wide Zone from the same set to keep the defense honest on base run fits before hitting them with the RPO answer.
Best called on early downs (1st and 10, 2nd and medium) when defenses are more likely to sell out on the run look and leave the perimeter light.
