Playbooks

RPO Power Alert Bubble

Shotgun·Doubles Offset Wk·11
RPOPass PlayRun Play
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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 3 playbooks

Franchise College Spread OffenseOffenseSpread ClassicMUT KO RPO OffenseOffense

Breakdown

RPO Power Alert Bubble is a run pass option built off Power run blocking with a bubble screen alert to the offset receiver stack. The quarterback reads the alert defender (typically the flat defender or overhang linebacker), handing off into the Power scheme if he sits or crashes down, and pulling to throw the bubble if he widens or blitzes. This is a true RPO that punishes light boxes and overaggressive flat defenders, giving you a numbers advantage either on the interior gap run or on the perimeter bubble.

Defensive Reads

Watch the overhang or slot cornerback pre-snap, if he is aligned inside with outside leverage the bubble read is likely to be taken away, favor the handoff. Check safety depth, a single high safety rotated toward the run side signals the defense is selling out on Power, which opens the bubble throw for a bigger gain. Post-snap, track the alert defender first step, if he crashes down to fill the run gap the bubble is wide open, if he sits or widens the run has room. Beware of user linebackers spying the mesh point, aggressive user blitzers up the middle can blow up Power before the fullback or guard gets to the second level, favor the quick bubble in that case. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with an aggressive flat defender tend to shut down the bubble read, in those looks trust the interior blocking and stick with the handoff.

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap, if the defense has six or more in the box, lean toward pulling the bubble immediately since Power blocking will be outnumbered.

Identify the alert defender assigned to the bubble side, if he is playing off or shows soft zone leverage, take the automatic bubble throw for a free five to seven yards.

Use this play on early downs in run heavy personnel counts to keep defenses honest, since the threat of Power forces linebackers to stay home and opens up the bubble read.

Pair this with RPO Power Peek and RPO Alert Bubble in the same set to keep the defense guessing between inside gap runs and quick perimeter throws off identical formation and motion.

Against user defenders spying the alert receiver, hard commit to the handoff since the box numbers usually favor the run when the user pulls out to cover the bubble.

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