Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| WR3 | Right | Bubble Screen |
| WR1 | Left | Option Route |
| WR2 | Right | Run Block |
| WR4 | Right | Run Block |
RPO Read Bubble is a run pass option built off an inside zone look from Shotgun Trio 4wr Str, giving the quarterback a true give, keep, or throw decision at the mesh point. The trio side runs a bubble screen concept with the slot receiver sitting underneath while the outside receiver stalks or arc releases to block the corner, making this a zone beater against light boxes and aggressive linebacker flow. The primary read progression is the playside second level defender: if he crashes downhill on the run fake, pull and fire the bubble immediately, if he sits or bails to cover the bubble, hand the ball off into the vacated running lane.
Identify the alignment of the playside linebacker before the snap, if he is stacked tight to the line he is likely a run blitz threat and the bubble becomes the better answer Watch the flat defender or nickel corner on the trio side, if he sits at the line reading run he will jump the bubble throw so be ready to pull it back to the handoff Check for a cornerback sitting outside in soft zone, since he is the primary defender who can undercut the bubble screen if he reads it early Man coverage with the corner pressed on the outside receiver often leaves the bubble wide open since there is no natural help defender underneath Beware of defenses that spy the running back or crash a safety into the box post snap, this eliminates the inside run and forces a quicker bubble decision than the offense wants
Check the box count before the snap and if the defense shows six or more in the box, prioritize the bubble throw over the run read
Use this play on early downs like first and second and ten to stay ahead of the sticks without committing to a full drop back pass
Hot route the backside receivers into quick outs or slants if the defense shows man coverage across the board so you have a second answer beyond the bubble
Pair this with Inside Zone and Read Option in the same set so the defense cannot key on the mothership run action, forcing linebackers to respect every snap equally
Against aggressive blitzing linebackers, snap the ball quickly and throw the bubble pre-read since the screen negates most interior pressure before it arrives