Playbooks

RPO Alert Bubble

Shotgun·Spread·10
RPOPass PlayRun PlayBubble Screen
Play diagram for RPO Alert Bubble from Shotgun Spread in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

Franchise Offense Gun ScreengameOffenseRun And Shoot OffenseOffense

Breakdown

RPO Alert Bubble is an RPO out of the Shotgun Spread 10 personnel look. Pre-snap the QB reads the alert side: the left slot receiver runs a bubble screen while the outside receiver on that side pushes vertical to clear space, and on the right side the slot receiver runs a corner or seam breaking route while the boundary receiver runs a comeback to the sideline. Inside, the HB carries out an inside zone fake off the mesh point, giving the offensive line a run blocking scheme to sell the handoff. The primary read progression starts with the run/pass key on the second level defender over the bubble, then works to the run fit if the box stays honest, and finally to the alert route on the backside if the defense overcommits to the run look.

Defensive Reads

Identify single high versus two high safety shells before the snap, single high usually means more defenders in the box and a favorable bubble throw. Key the slot cornerback or nickel defender over the bubble receiver, if he sits flat footed at the snap the run fake has frozen him and the screen is wide open. Watch for a linebacker blitzing off the edge on the play side, this is a common nano blitz answer that this RPO is designed to beat since the ball comes out before the rush arrives. On the backside, look at the cornerback's cushion on the comeback route, tight coverage there signals a good spot to hot route into a fade or slant beater. Zone defenses that roll a safety down into the box post snap can shut down both the run and bubble, so recognize the rotation quickly and check to the alert side route instead.

Usage Tips

Check the numbers in the box before the snap and if the defense has six or more defenders stacked inside, plan on pulling the ball for the bubble read immediately.

Watch the flow of the linebacker assigned to the bubble defender, if he crashes downhill on the run fake that is your green light to throw the quick screen for an easy gain.

Use this play on early downs in run heavy personnel sets to keep the defense honest and set up explosive plays later in the series.

Pair this play with straight Inside Zone or HB Draw from the same formation so the defense cannot key on the bubble tag pre-snap.

Against aggressive man blitz teams, hot route the backside comeback into a slant to give the QB a quicker outlet if the corner presses hard.

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