Playbooks

Empty Bubble Spot

Shotgun·Double Stack·11
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense Sharedcoach1Offense

Breakdown

Empty Bubble Spot is an empty backfield spot concept out of the Shotgun Double Stack formation, built to attack space underneath with a bubble screen paired with a spot route and a vertical or corner clear-out from the stacked receivers. With no back in the backfield, the offensive line settles into pass protection while the bubble action to the flat and the spot route sitting down in the underneath zone create a quick horizontal stretch. This is a zone beater at its core, designed to punish soft zone drops and off coverage, and the primary read progression starts with the bubble to the flat, then works to the spot sitting underneath before climbing to any clearing vertical route if the underneath defenders jump the short stuff.

Defensive Reads

Watch the flat defender and slot corner leverage before the snap, since a defender sitting outside the bubble receiver signals a jump on the screen and a need to go to the spot route instead. Identify two high safeties as a sign of zone coverage underneath, which is exactly where this concept wants to attack with the bubble and spot combo. Key on the linebacker depth at the snap, since shallow linebackers dropping into the spot's window will clog the primary read and force a quicker decision to the bubble or vertical clear-out. Man coverage with press corners on the outside receivers can shut this down if the defense also brings a spy or extra rusher, since the bubble loses its space advantage and the quarterback has no outlet. Look for user-controlled defenders lurking in the shallow flat area, since a smart user player baiting the bubble throw can jump the route for a pick six if the read isn't disciplined.

Usage Tips

Check the defense pre-snap for two high safeties and off corners, since this play thrives against zone shells that give up the underneath completions.

Use the bubble as your immediate answer against soft zone or Tampa 2 looks, but be ready to hot route the spot runner into a quick out if you see man coverage with a corner sitting on the flat.

This play pairs well with Empty Bubble Screen and Smoke N Go in a play-action sequence, since all three sell the same quick perimeter passing look before you counter with a shot play like Four Verticals or Empty Fk Bubble Post.

Best called on early downs or third and short, where the bubble and spot combo can pick up easy yardage against a defense playing off to prevent the big play.

If the defense shows heavy blitz pre-snap, get the ball out on the bubble immediately since the empty backfield leaves no extra protection for the quarterback.

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