Playbooks
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
Breakdown
RPO Alert Bubble out of Pistol Trips gives the quarterback a pre-snap and post-snap alert between an inside handoff and a bubble screen to the trips side. The diagram shows the HB running a lead track through the line for the run alert while the slot receiver bubbles out into the flat, with the frontside offensive line working a zone run scheme to the play side. The primary read progression starts with the read defender: if the second level flows hard downhill on the run fit, the quarterback pulls and throws the bubble, otherwise he hands off and lets the run develop, making this an RPO that attacks light boxes and overaggressive linebacker flow rather than a strict man or zone beater.
Defensive Reads
Watch the slot cornerback and nearest linebacker before the snap, if they are sitting deep in a zone shell the run alert is live because nobody is threatening the bubble Key the play side linebacker at the snap, aggressive downhill flow toward the mesh point means the quarterback will pull and throw the bubble User the flat defender or nickel corner to sit on the bubble route and take away the easy pitch, forcing the offense to commit to the run Man coverage with the corner pressed on the slot receiver can jump the bubble route for a big play if the quarterback throws it on alert without checking leverage A three technique or shaded defensive tackle crashing the inside run gap kills the handoff lane, so watch for penetration up front that forces the quarterback to bail to the pass side
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and if you see six or more defenders inside the tackles, lean toward throwing the bubble immediately off the snap
Use the flick of the right stick or your designated hot key to throw the bubble the instant you see a linebacker crash toward the mesh point
This play works best on early downs like first and second and short to stay ahead of the chains without committing to a pure run or pure pass call
Pair this with HB Dive or HB Zone Wk from the same set so the defense has to respect the inside run fit before you go back to the bubble alert
Against teams that spam blitzes, use this as a check play to punish overpursuit, then mix in Bubble Screen or WR Screen later in the drive once linebackers start biting on the mesh action
