Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Pin Alert Bubble is an RPO out of Shotgun Trio HB Wk that gives the QB a run/pass alert based on the alley defender. The diagram shows the offensive line and TE blocking down at the line while the outside receiver runs a deep vertical along the sideline as the alert route, and the slot receiver runs a quick bubble screen to the flat with the HB releasing to that side as a blocker. The QB reads the flat defender or overhang: if he sits or crashes down on the bubble, the QB pulls it and throws the alert vertical for a big play, and if he widens to cover the vertical, the QB takes the bubble as a quick, easy completion.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat or overhang defender pre-snap, his depth and leverage tell you whether he is keying run or staying home on the bubble. Man coverage on the outside receiver with a deep single high safety leaves the alert route vulnerable if the corner does not get depth quickly. Zone coverage that sinks a corner or safety over the top takes away the vertical alert and forces the QB into the bubble every time. User a defender to sit on the bubble route while playing off the outside vertical to bait the QB into a low value throw. Fast triggering linebackers or slot defenders who crash the run fake without respecting the RPO tag get burned on the alert vertical, so disciplined eyes are essential to stop this play.
Usage Tips
Check the alignment of the slot corner or overhang defender before the snap since he is the key to this entire RPO.
If that defender is sitting inside at five yards or less, throw the bubble immediately for a free five to seven yards.
If that defender bails deep or widens with the vertical route, pull the ball and hit the outside alert route for an explosive play down the sideline.
Use this on early downs like first and ten or second and short to keep defenses honest and force them to declare their overhang assignment.
Pair this with RPO Alert Buck and RPO Buck Read Bubble in the same set so defenses cannot sit on one specific bubble or alert key.
