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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
RPO Read Bubble is run out of Shotgun Doubles HB Wk with 11 personnel, giving the QB a true run/pass conflict read on the play side. The offensive line and HB execute an inside zone run action to the strong side while the backside slot receiver runs a bubble screen and the outside receiver on that side clears vertically to hold the corner. The QB reads the flat defender or overhang defender: if that defender crashes down on the run, he pulls and throws the bubble, and if that defender sits on the bubble, he hands off the zone run, making this a true numbers based RPO rather than a pre-determined pass or run.
Defensive Reads
Key the slot corner or overhang defender pre-snap, if he is walked up tight to the line of scrimmage he is likely sitting on the bubble and taking away the quick throw. Watch for a linebacker or safety rotating down into the box post-snap, since that shows run support and should trigger the bubble throw read for the offense. User-controlled defenders who jump the bubble route immediately open up the inside zone run, so defenses need discipline to stay home on their assigned conflict player. Fire zone blitzes and nano blitzes off the edge can beat this play if the interior line does not account for extra rushers, since the RPO read does not protect against overload pressure. Press man coverage on the outside receiver combined with a squeezed slot defender forces the QB into a tougher decision, since the flat defender can rob the bubble while still being close enough to fall back if it is a run fake.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify the alignment of the slot defender to the bubble side since he is your primary key for the entire read.
If the defense shows off coverage with a deep half safety and a wide corner, expect the flat defender to sit on the bubble, so lean toward the zone run.
Use hot routes sparingly here since the RPO already builds in a conflict read, but you can motion the bubble receiver pre-snap to confirm man versus zone based on if a defender follows.
Pair this play with RPO Zone Alert Bubble and RPO Power Alert Bubble in the same set so the defense cannot sit on one run scheme, forcing linebackers to hesitate on every snap.
Best used on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and medium) where defenses are more likely to play base fronts and honest zone shells, giving the QB a cleaner give or throw read.
