Playbooks

RPO Read Bubble

Shotgun·Doubles Z Close Wk·11

RPO Pass Play Run Play

Likely unavailable in the playbook builder

This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Play diagram for RPO Read Bubble from Shotgun Doubles Z Close Wk in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetDoubles Z Close Wk

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

Breakdown

RPO Read Bubble out of Shotgun Doubles Z Close Wk pairs an inside zone run look with a bubble screen read to the slot receiver. The offensive line executes a standard zone blocking scheme while the running back takes the handoff path away from the play call arrow, giving the quarterback a true give or throw decision based on the flow of the second level defender. On the backside, the X receiver runs a deep crossing route that clears out space and holds any defender who might rob the bubble, making the quarterback's primary read the alignment and reaction of the flat or slot defender before deciding to hand it off or pull and throw the bubble screen.

Defensive Reads

Key the alignment of the second level defender assigned to the bubble side before the snap to identify if he is in run support or coverage depth. Watch for a slot cornerback or nickel defender playing outside leverage, which signals the quarterback should pull the ball for the bubble throw immediately. If the linebacker or slot defender crashes hard downhill at the snap, that is the run key, so expect the handoff and inside zone action. User controlled defenders who sit and read the quarterback's eyes can jump the bubble route, so disciplined lurk technique from a linebacker or safety shuts this play down. Man coverage with a blitzing linebacker off the edge can be dangerous since it removes the run key advantage, forcing a fast pre-snap decision from the quarterback.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the slot cornerback to see if he is sitting inside or outside, since that determines whether the bubble throw is there immediately.

If the defense shows zone with a linebacker sitting on the bubble route, trust the run key and let the running back work the inside zone lanes.

Against man coverage with no underneath help, the bubble screen becomes an easy conversion, especially on early downs when the defense expects run.

Pair this play with Mtn Inside Zone and Inside Zone in your call sequence so the defense cannot sit on the RPO key, forcing linebackers to respect the run action every time.

Use the deep crossing route on the backside as a manual user throw versus aggressive zone defenders who crash down hard on the bubble, since it exploits vacated deep zones.