Playbooks

RPO Zone Alert Bubble

Shotgun·Doubles Offset Wk·11
RPOPass PlayRun Play

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 3 playbooks

Balanced Pass OffenseOffenseShotgun OffenseOffenseSpread Classic

Breakdown

RPO Zone Alert Bubble is a true run-pass option out of Shotgun Doubles Offset Wk that pairs an inside zone run with a bubble screen alert to the offset receiver. The QB reads the alert defender (usually the flat or slot defender near the bubble) before the snap and post-snap to decide between handing off the zone run or pulling and throwing the bubble. This is a zone beater at its core, designed to punish light boxes and defenders who crash down on the run fit, with the primary read progression being box count first, then the alert defender's leverage on the bubble receiver.

Defensive Reads

Watch the safety alignment before the snap: two high safeties often mean lighter boxes, which favors the inside zone hand off. Identify the alert defender's depth and leverage at the snap, since a defender sitting flat footed or crashing hard on run action is a green light to throw the bubble immediately. Look for user controlled defenders flying downhill on the zone run fake, as this leaves the bubble receiver wide open in space against zone coverage. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with aggressive flat defenders tend to shut down the bubble portion, so be ready to trust the run read against those shells. Beware of nano blitzes or edge pressure off the offset side, since a fast interior blitz can disrupt the mesh point before the QB can make a clean read.

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap and if the defense has six or more defenders in the box, lean toward the bubble throw instead of forcing the run.

Use the alert key defender, typically a slot corner or overhang linebacker, to make your decision: if he sits inside or blitzes, pull and throw the bubble immediately.

Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or slant if you expect man coverage, since the base bubble concept struggles against tight man leverage.

This play works best on early downs (first and second down) when defenses are guessing between run and pass, and it punishes defenses that overload the box against Doubles Offset Wk formations.

Sequence this with RPO Zone Peek or RPO Zone Read Bubble to keep defenders honest, then mix in RPO Power Alert Bubble to change the run action while keeping the same bubble alert read for your opponent to second guess.

Other Plays in Doubles Offset Wk