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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
RPO Alert Bubble is a run pass option out of Shotgun 11 personnel that pairs an inside handoff look with a bubble screen read to the slot receiver. The offensive line executes a run blocking scheme up front while the outside receiver runs a vertical release to hold the deep defender, and the slot receiver bubbles out behind the line of scrimmage as the quarterback's alert throw. The QB reads the alert defender (usually a flowing linebacker or slot corner) post snap: if that defender crashes down on the run action, pull and throw the bubble, if he sits or widens, hand off inside. This is a zone beater at its core since it exploits linebackers who key run and flow away from the bubble screen.
Defensive Reads
Key the flow of the linebacker or nickel defender aligned closest to the bubble receiver, his first step tells you the QB's decision. Fast flow linebackers who bite hard on the run action get eaten alive by the bubble throw, so disciplined defenders must stay patient. Man coverage on the outside vertical release can open a lane for the bubble since the alert defender is often isolated with no help. Zone shells with a robber or sim pressure package can jump the bubble read if the slot defender sits instead of flowing to run support. Watch for user controlled defenders spying the slot receiver, since a smart user can bait the QB into throwing the bubble into a covered window.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short so the run threat is fully live and the defense has to respect both options.
Check the box count before the snap: if the defense has extra numbers in the box, lean toward pulling and throwing the bubble immediately.
Watch the flow of the second level defender aligned over or near the slot receiver, this is your alert key for the entire play.
Pair this play with RPO Power Alert Bubble and RPO Zone Alert in the same package so defenses cannot sit on one blocking scheme, forcing linebackers to hesitate on every snap.
Motion or shift the slot receiver pre-snap to see if the defense adjusts, this can expose man coverage or a blitz look before the ball is even snapped.
