Playbooks
RPO Alert Bubble is a run/pass option out of Shotgun Normal Wing Pats Close that pairs an inside run with a bubble screen read to the slot receiver. The quarterback's primary read is the alert defender, typically the flat or slot corner defender, who determines whether to hand the ball off or pull and throw the bubble. This is a zone beater at its core, since it punishes light box counts and attacks defenders who crash down on the run fake, but it also gives you a built in answer against aggressive slot corner blitzes.
Watch the slot corner or nickel defender's alignment pre-snap, since a defender playing off and outside signals he is reading run first and susceptible to the bubble. Post-snap, key the alert defender's first two steps, if he flows hard toward the run fake, the bubble window opens immediately for an easy pitch and catch. Zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 with a flat defender sitting deep tend to bait the run, so trust the handoff when you see soft zone drops over the bubble. Man coverage with the slot corner playing tight bump technique on the bubble receiver takes away the easy throw, so lean toward the run in those situations. Watch for a user controlled lurk defender sitting in the shallow zone, since a smart opponent can jump the bubble route and turn it into a pick six if you telegraph the throw.
Identify the alert defender pre-snap by locating the slot corner or nickel defender over your bubble receiver, since his run/pass discipline dictates your decision before the snap even happens.
If the defense shows a light box with six or fewer defenders inside, take the run every time and let your offensive line work its blocking scheme downhill.
When the slot defender sits flat footed or crashes hard on run action, pull the ball and get the bubble out quickly to your slot receiver for an easy access throw.
Use this play on early downs in run heavy sequences to keep the defense honest, then pair it with RPO Buck Alert Bubble or Mtn PA Cross later in the drive to attack defenders who overcommit to stopping the bubble.
Avoid this play against aggressive nano blitz packages that bring extra defenders off the edge, since the RPO read does not account for backside pressure on the quarterback.