Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Zone Bubble out of Shotgun Split Slot Offset pairs an inside zone run scheme with a bubble screen alert to the slot, giving the quarterback a true run-pass conflict read on the play side flat defender or overhang. If that defender crashes down to fill the zone run lane, pull and throw the bubble to the slot receiver in space. If he sits or widens to take away the bubble, hand the ball off and let the zone blocking work up front. This is a zone beater at its core since it punishes light boxes and honest linebacker flow, and the primary read progression starts with the flat defender or slot corner before the quarterback ever looks at the running back.
Defensive Reads
Key the slot cornerback or overhang defender immediately after the snap, his reaction to run flow tells you whether to pull or hand off. Watch for a nano blitz off the edge, if the defense sends an overload blitz to the play side flat you need to get the bubble out fast before the user defender closes the throwing lane. Identify two high safety shells pre-snap, since Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells often leave the flat defender in conflict and favor the bubble read. Look for user-controlled linebackers spying the running back or sitting in the RPO throwing lane, this is the biggest defensive counter and usually means you should stick with the run. Against Cover 3 sky or cloud coverage, the corner rolling down into the flat can shut off the bubble entirely, so be ready to trust the interior run blocking instead.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap, if there are six or fewer defenders in the box you are in a strong spot to pull the bubble immediately against man coverage or single high shells.
Use your pre-snap motion sparingly here since the read is post-snap, but shift protection or check to a run if you see an extra safety rotate down into the box.
Hot route the backside receiver on a quick slant or hitch if the defense shows Cover 0 or press man with no help over the top, this gives you a second answer besides the bubble.
Pair this play with Mtn RPO Peek Swing and Mtn RPO Peek Stick in the same series so the defense has to respect both the swing and bubble RPO looks, making linebacker run fits harder to disguise.
Best called on early downs or short yardage to stay ahead of the sticks, since a blown up run still nets positive yards through the bubble if you read it correctly.
