Playbooks

RPO Orbit Bubble

Shotgun·Doubles Offset Wk·11
RPOMotionPass PlayRun Play

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 3 playbooks

Balanced Pass OffenseOffenseSpread ClassicMUT KO RPO OffenseOffense

Breakdown

RPO Orbit Bubble is a true run pass option out of Shotgun Doubles Offset Wk that pairs an inside zone run with an orbit motion man sweeping into a bubble screen to the backside slot. The quarterback reads the box count and the flow of the second level defender assigned to the bubble, handing the ball off if the run side is light or pulling and throwing the bubble if a defender crashes down on the run action. This is an RPO designed to punish aggressive run fits and undisciplined linebackers, and the orbit motion adds a pre-snap conflict for the defense by threatening manpower in space before the snap even happens.

Defensive Reads

Identify the alignment of the slot cornerback or nickel defender over the bubble receiver before the snap, if he sits at depth in soft zone the bubble throw only nets a few yards and you should live in the run. Track the second level defender responsible for run fits, if he steps up hard at the snap that is your green light to pull and throw since he has vacated his flow to the alley. Watch for a cover 3 or cover 4 shell with the corner sitting outside, this alignment tends to erase the bubble read since the flat defender can close in a hurry, favoring the run action instead. Look for man coverage indicators via the orbit motion, if a defender mirrors the motion man across the formation the defense is showing man principles and the bubble becomes a low risk answer against blitz or man press. Beware of a slot blitz or overload look to the bubble side, since a disciplined defense can bait the quick throw and rally with numbers, so check the leverage of the flat defender before committing to the pull read.

Usage Tips

Watch the motion defender pre-snap, if a linebacker or slot corner follows the orbit man across the formation you have a strong indicator of man coverage and can key the bubble as a quick answer against blitz looks. Use this play on early downs in normal or nickel personnel to stay ahead of the chains, since both the run and the bubble access are conducive to positive yardage even against a correct guess by the defense. If the defense sells out to stop the bubble by walking a defender out wide, trust the inside zone read and let your running back work through the designed gap. Pair this play with RPO Alert Bubble and RPO Read Bubble in the same set to keep the defense guessing on which conflict defender you are attacking, since the pre-snap motion and shell look are nearly identical across those calls. Against teams that shoot gaps with aggressive nano blitz packages, hit the bubble quickly before the edge defender can redirect, since the quick throw voids most contain rushers.

Other Plays in Doubles Offset Wk