Playbooks

RPO Zone Read Bubble

Shotgun·Normal Y Off Wk·11
RPOPass PlayRun Play
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Franchise HS Spread OffenseOffense

Breakdown

RPO Zone Read Bubble is a true run pass option built off the inside zone run scheme from Shotgun Normal Y Off Wk. The offensive line executes zone blocking while the quarterback reads a second level defender or the flat defender to decide between handing off, keeping the zone read, or throwing the bubble screen to the slot receiver. This play is both a run play and an RPO zone beater, attacking light boxes on the ground and soft or overaggressive flat defenders through the air, with the primary read being the flat or force defender assigned to the bubble receiver.

Defensive Reads

Identify the number of defenders in the box pre-snap, light boxes with six or fewer favor the run or keep read while stacked boxes push you toward the bubble throw Watch the flat or force defender's leverage at the snap, if he crashes down on the running lane the bubble screen is wide open behind him Look for the slot cornerback or nickel defender sitting in an underneath zone with outside leverage, this alignment is designed to sit on the bubble and can bait a bad throw Man coverage on the slot receiver with no underneath help is the green light to take the bubble immediately since there is no defender in the throwing lane Watch for a linebacker blitz off the edge or a nano blitz look, since a fast defender crashing the mesh point can blow up both the run and the quarterback keep before the read develops

Usage Tips

Count the box pre-snap and if there are six or fewer defenders in the box, lean toward pulling the bubble read since the numbers favor the perimeter throw

If the flat defender or slot cornerback sits flat footed or widens hard toward the bubble receiver at the snap, hand it off or keep the zone read since the alley is open

Use hot routes to adjust the bubble receiver's depth or motion him pre-snap to get a free access read against man coverage

Pair this play with Inside Zone and RPO Alert Bubble in the same set to keep the defense guessing between a straight run look and the bubble option without changing your formation or personnel

Best called on early downs or short yardage third downs where defenses often sell out to stop the run and leave the bubble access wide open

Avoid forcing the bubble throw against zone shells with an alert corner sitting underneath, since that defender can jump the route for an easy pick six

Other Plays in Normal Y Off Wk