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Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
RPO Power Alert Bubble is a run pass option out of Shotgun Doubles HB Wk that pairs a Power run scheme with a bubble screen alert to the slot receiver. The blocking scheme pulls the backside guard for Power while the quarterback reads the alert defender, typically a flowing linebacker or overhang defender, to decide between handing off or pulling and throwing the bubble to the flat. Primary progression is pre-snap numbers check to the bubble side, then post-snap key on the alert defender's first two steps to determine give or throw, making this an effective man and light box beater.
Defensive Reads
Watch the alert defender, usually the slot corner or overhang linebacker, if he sits flat footed at the snap the offense will hand it off for Power. Check safety depth pre-snap, single high shells with the strong safety cheating toward the box signal a green light for the bubble throw since deep help is limited. Look for linebackers keying the running back's initial path, disciplined linebackers who stay home on the bubble side shut down the screen and force the quarterback into a tougher handoff read. On defense, user a linebacker or slot defender to sit on the bubble route and squeeze the throwing window, forcing the quarterback to commit to the run into a loaded box. Nano blitzes off the edge can disrupt the mesh point before the quarterback reads the alert defender, killing both the run and pass options simultaneously.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and if the defense has six or more in the box, lean toward throwing the bubble instead of forcing the Power run into a stacked front.
Identify the alert defender immediately after the snap, if he crashes down on the run fake the bubble window opens instantly for an easy completion.
Use this play on early downs in run heavy personnel to keep the defense honest, then follow it up later with RPO Zone Alert Bubble or RPO Peek Slant to keep linebackers guessing on the same look.
Against aggressive man coverage teams that blitz off the edge, the bubble read punishes overpursuit since the flat defender has no help underneath.
Motion or shift the slot receiver pre-snap to bait the defense into revealing man versus zone coverage before deciding your alert read.
