Playbooks

RPO Zone Bubble

Shotgun·Split Slot Offset·20
RPOPass PlayRun Play

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

RPO Zone Bubble out of Shotgun Split Slot Offset pairs an inside zone run with a bubble screen read to the slot receiver, giving the quarterback a true run/pass conflict based on the alignment of the second level defender. The offensive line executes zone blocking to the play side while the slot receiver sits in the bubble as the numbers read for the QB to throw hot. This is an RPO designed to punish light boxes and overaggressive flow to the run fake, with the primary read being the flow of the second level defender closest to the bubble, if he steps up or crashes down on the run fake, pull and throw the bubble, if he sits or widens to the bubble, hand it off on the zone track.

Defensive Reads

Identify if the defense is showing a light box with a single high safety, since that alignment almost guarantees the bubble screen will be open before the snap. Watch the flow of the linebacker or slot corner assigned to the bubble receiver, if he crashes down on run flow at the snap that is the green light to pull and throw. Beware of a user controlled defender sitting in a shallow zone or lurking near the bubble target, since a smart human defender can jump the screen read and blow up the RPO for a loss. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with disciplined flat defenders tend to shut down the bubble portion, forcing you to trust the zone run more often against those shells. Watch for a fast defensive end or slot blitzer crashing hard off the edge, since that puts immediate pressure on the mesh point and can force a rushed decision before the read develops.

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap, if there are six or more defenders in the box the bubble read is almost automatic so key the alley defender immediately at the snap.

Use this play on early downs like first and second and ten to stay ahead of the chains, since both the run and the quick bubble throw are low risk options that keep you on schedule.

Hot route the backside receiver on a quick slant or drag if you expect man coverage, since that gives you a second answer if the defense rolls to the bubble side pre snap.

Pair this call with Mtn RPO Peek Swing or Mtn RPO Read Swing Wk in the same series so the defense has to respect multiple perimeter RPO looks off similar formations, forcing linebackers to hesitate on every snap.

Against defenses that key the running back through the mesh point, sell the fake longer before pulling the ball to manipulate user linebackers who are spying the run.

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