Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Read Bubble is a run pass option out of Shotgun Bunch Str Nasty that pairs an inside zone handoff read with a bubble screen thrown to the bunch alignment. The offensive line and running back execute the zone blocking scheme while the quarterback keys the flat defender or nearest linebacker to decide whether to hand off or pull and throw the quick bubble to the slot receiver working outside. This is a zone beater RPO that punishes light boxes and soft flat coverage, with the primary read being the alley or flat defender: if he crashes down on the run fit, pull and fire the bubble, and if he sits wide, hand the ball off into the vacated inside zone lane.
Defensive Reads
Watch the alley defender or slot corner in the bunch look, if he crashes hard downhill on run action he is opening up the bubble throw every time. Man coverage on the bunch receivers is vulnerable because the bubble route creates natural leverage and a numbers advantage on the perimeter before defenders can react. Zone coverages that keep a defender sitting flat footed in the short flat area take away the bubble read and force the quarterback into the handoff, so look for a defense with disciplined flat zone drops to shut this down. A linebacker or slot defender blitzing off the edge presnap tips the run read since the box count drops, giving the quarterback a clear green light to hand it off behind the vacated gap. Beware defenses that user control a linebacker to spy the bubble route or jump the flat, since a savvy user player can bait the quarterback into throwing right into a covered route.
Usage Tips
Check the defensive front pre snap and count the box, if there are six or fewer defenders in the box you should lean toward the run side of the RPO. Identify whether the flat defender or slot corner is sitting on the bubble route before the snap, if he is playing off or bailing into a deep zone the bubble throw is nearly automatic for a quick gain. Use motion or a hard count to bait the second level defenders into showing blitz or run commitment before the snap. Pair this play with Corndog Toss or Pin Pull Toss on early downs to keep the defense honest on perimeter run fits, then hit them with RPO Read Bubble when they overcommit to stopping outside runs. Best used on first or second down and short to medium distance, since the built in conflict for the flat defender creates a high floor play that avoids negative plays while still threatening explosive gains if the defense misreads the option.
