Playbooks

RPO Zone Alert Bubble

Pistol·Trips·11

RPO Pass Play Run Play

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Quick Reference

FormationPistol

SetTrips

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 6 playbooks

Buccaneers OffenseOffense Panthers OffenseOffense Superstar HB Agile Superstar QB Field General NFL Live Buccaneers OffenseOffense NFL Live Panthers OffenseOffense

Breakdown

RPO Zone Alert Bubble is a true run pass option out of Pistol Trips 11 personnel, giving the quarterback a zone run read on the backside combined with a bubble screen alert to the trips side. The blocking scheme is inside zone, letting the QB read the play side flow of the second level defender (usually a linebacker or slot defender) to decide between handing off or pulling and throwing the bubble to the trips bunch. This play is a zone beater at its core since it punishes light boxes and defenders who crash down on the run fit, and the primary read progression is box count first, then the alert defender flowing to the mesh point before the ball is even snapped into a throw or hand off.

Defensive Reads

Watch for a defender sitting outside the tackle box pre-snap, that is your alert key and tells the QB whether to hand off or throw Man coverage on the trips side with press corners can jump the bubble route, so if you see man alignment on the slot receivers be ready to trust the run instead Zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 with linebackers flowing hard to the run side open up the bubble since the flat defender is late getting to the perimeter Blitz packages that bring extra defenders off the edge or through the A gap can blow up the mesh point, so check for overloaded fronts or nano blitz looks before the snap Safeties rotating down into the box pre-snap signal a run blitz, which makes the bubble the higher percentage decision if the slot defenders bite on run action

Usage Tips

Check the defender count in the box before the snap, if there are six or fewer defenders take the zone run all day

Identify the alert defender, usually the slot corner or overhang linebacker, and watch if he widens for the bubble or stays inside for run support

Use the bubble read on early downs against aggressive run fits to keep defenders honest and set up explosive plays later in the drive

Pair this play with HB Zone Wk and HB Dive to sell the same zone action, then mix in RPO Alert Bubble as a near identical look to keep defenders guessing on the mesh point

Call this on second and short or first and ten when defenses are stacking the box, since the bubble naturally punishes overcommitted linebackers

Motion is not needed here so use pre-snap audibles sparingly to disguise your intent and keep the defense reacting instead of adjusting