Playbooks

RPO Alert Bubble

Pistol·Y Off Trips·11
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Quick Reference

FormationPistol

In 1 playbook

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Breakdown

RPO Alert Bubble is a run-pass option out of Pistol Y Off Trips that pairs an inside zone handoff with a bubble screen alert to the trips side. The quarterback reads the alert defender (usually the overhang or nearest flat defender to the trips bunch) at the snap: if that defender crashes down on the run fit, the ball gets pulled and thrown quickly to the bubble; if he stays wide to cover the bubble, the HB keeps the zone run behind the offensive line. This is a numbers-based RPO designed to beat aggressive run support and light box counts rather than a specific man or zone shell.

Defensive Reads

Watch the overhang defender over the trips bunch before the snap, if he is crashed inside expecting run he cannot get back out to the bubble in time Check safety depth and rotation, a two high shell with soft corners often signals the defense is playing for the run, giving the bubble throw a clean numbers advantage Look for user-controlled linebackers flying downhill immediately after the snap, since that flow confirms the quarterback should pull and throw rather than hand off Beware of a fast flow defense that sends the alert defender to squat directly on the bubble route, this shell forces the quarterback to trust the zone run behind a light box Man coverage with a slot corner playing tight technique can jump the bubble quickly, so scan for press alignment pre-snap and be ready to hand the ball off instead

Usage Tips

Count the box pre-snap and only trust the run if you have a numbers advantage, otherwise lean toward pulling the bubble immediately at the snap

Identify the alert defender before the snap, typically the slot corner or overhang linebacker aligned over the trips bunch, since his reaction dictates the entire read

Use this on early downs or short yardage to keep defenses honest, since the quick bubble throw punishes defenders crashing hard on early down run keys

Combine with HB Dive and HB Wide Zone Wk from this set to establish the same zone run action, then call RPO Alert Bubble to make defenders hesitate on their run fits

Pair with RPO Alert Slant and RPO Glance Post in sequence so defenders cannot sit on the bubble alone, forcing user linebackers to choose between run support and space coverage

If facing a hard corner blitz or slot press, hot route the bubble receiver into a quick out or snag to beat aggressive man coverage before the ball is snapped

Other Plays in Y Off Trips