Playbooks

RPO Power Alert Bubble

Shotgun·Normal Off Close Wk·11
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Quick Reference

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Breakdown

RPO Power Alert Bubble is a true run pass option out of Shotgun 11 personnel that pairs an inside Power run scheme with a bubble screen alert to the slot receiver. The offensive line pulls the backside guard to lead through the hole while the quarterback reads the alert defender, typically a flat defender or overhang linebacker, to decide between handing off Power or pulling and throwing the bubble. This is a run play at its core with a built in zone beater bubble concept, making it effective against light boxes and defenses that spin coverage away from the trigger man.

Defensive Reads

Pre snap, count the box and identify if the defense is showing run fits with the linebackers stacked tight, which signals you should lean toward the bubble option Locate the alert defender, usually the slot corner or overhang linebacker, since his run pass conflict determines the entire play Watch for user controlled defenders sitting in the passing lane or lurking at the bubble route depth, since a smart human defender can bait the quarterback into a bad throw Against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 with soft corners, the bubble picks up easy yardage if the flat defender bites on run action This play struggles against aggressive man blitzes that send extra defenders off the edge before the RPO key can be read, so have a hot route or audible ready if you see pressure creeping up

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap and if the defense shows six or more in the box, key the alert defender immediately for the bubble throw instead of forcing the run

Use this on early downs like first and second and ten when defenses are still guessing between run and pass tendencies

If the slot defender crashes down on run action, pull the ball instantly and hit the bubble for a numbers advantage on the perimeter

Pair this with RPO Alert Bubble and RPO Zone Alert in the same drive to condition the defense on the alert key, then counter with RPO Peek Slant to attack overaggressive flat defenders

Motion or shift the slot receiver pre snap to get a cleaner pre snap read on whether the defense is in man or zone before deciding your primary option

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