Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Zone Peek Bubble is a true run-pass option out of Shotgun Trey Open HB Str, giving the QB an inside zone run read alongside a bubble screen to the slot and a peek route (usually a slant or quick in) from the backside receiver. The offensive line executes the inside zone blocking scheme while the QB reads the play-side flow of the defense: if the linebackers crash down on the zone run, he pulls and throws the bubble or peek route to the space they vacated. This play is both a run play and a zone beater RPO, punishing defenses that sell out to stop inside zone with numbers in the box, and the primary progression is run key first, bubble screen second, peek route as the third window against off-man or zone that leaves the backside receiver isolated.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the slot cornerback or nickel defender assigned to the bubble receiver since a soft outside shade tips zone coverage and vulnerability to the screen Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they immediately flow hard to the run fit the QB will pull and throw, so shooting a gap with a defensive tackle can disrupt the mesh point User the underneath zone defender to the bubble side to jump the screen route and force the QB into the peek read under pressure Man coverage on the backside receiver with no safety help over the top is the biggest tell that the peek route will hit for an explosive gain Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with linebackers staying square in their run fits take away both the bubble and the run, forcing the QB into a difficult peek throw against a trailing corner
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, count the box defenders and check if the slot defender is aligned to take away the bubble before the snap even happens
If the defense shows a light box with only six or fewer defenders, let the inside zone run hit downhill rather than forcing the RPO throw
Use the peek route as your answer against man coverage since it attacks a leverage mismatch quickly before the pass rush closes
Pair this call with RPO Alert Smoke or RPO Peek Slant from the same set to keep defenses guessing between bubble and slant conflicts on early downs
On third and short, favor the inside zone read since defenses often play run support first, opening the bubble screen as a chain-moving checkdown
