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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
RPO Read Bubble out of Shotgun Doubles Z Close Wk gives the QB a true give or throw decision based on the flow of the second level defenders. The offensive line runs its inside zone blocking scheme with the HB pressing the read hole, while the backside receiver runs a quick bubble screen as the built in throw option. The frontside X receiver stems vertically up the boundary to hold the corner and safety off the flat, clearing space for the bubble read. The primary progression starts with the QB reading the flow of the play side linebacker, if he crashes down on the run fit, pull and throw the bubble immediately, if he sits or bails, hand the ball off into the zone scheme.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side linebacker depth and width before the snap, if he is shaded toward the box the offense will likely get an easy bubble throw read Identify if the defense is in a run blitz or gap exchange front, since crashing linebackers and edge defenders open up the RPO throw immediately Look for a flat defender or curl to flat zone defender sitting on the bubble route, this shuts down the quick throw and forces the QB to hand it off into the run fit User the play side linebacker or nickel defender and stay disciplined, do not bite on the run action so you can jump the bubble throw window Man coverage on the backside receiver with a corner playing off leaves the bubble vulnerable, but tight press man coverage can bait the QB into a covered throw
Usage Tips
Check the alignment of the play side linebacker before the snap, if he is stacked tight to the box he is more likely to crash on the run fit and open the bubble throw
Use this play on early downs in run heavy personnel packages since the defense often sells out to stop the zone run, which opens the bubble screen behind them
Hot route the backside X on a quick out or slant if you see a corner sitting hard on the bubble route to counter aggressive user coverage
Pair this with Inside Zone from the same set so the defense cannot key on run action, since the blocking scheme looks identical pre-snap
Against teams that blitz off the edge, get the ball out on the bubble read pre-snap by using the RPO trigger key rather than waiting on the mesh point read
