Playbooks

Reload RPO Zone Alert Bubble

Shotgun·Trips TE·11

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

Reload RPO Zone Alert Bubble is a run-pass option out of Shotgun Trips TE that pairs an inside zone run with a bubble screen alert to the trips side. The QB reads the alert defender, typically the flat or slot defender over the trips bunch, deciding pre-snap and at the snap whether to hand off the zone run or pull and throw the bubble to the outside slot receiver. This is a zone beater by design since it punishes light box counts and soft flat defenders, with the primary read progression starting on the alert defender's run fit and finishing on the bubble receiver's leverage if the QB pulls the ball.

Defensive Reads

Watch the alert defender's depth and leverage pre-snap since a defender sitting too far inside or too deep signals an easy bubble throw. Man coverage on the trips receivers with no extra flat help usually means the bubble wins immediately due to the natural pick and leverage from the bunch. A hard crashing flat defender or aggressive nano blitz off the edge to the trips side should trigger the run read instead of the bubble. Zone shells with a linebacker sitting in the throwing lane or a cornerback playing outside contain can shut down the bubble read and force the handoff. User controlled defenders lurking near the alert key or robbing the bubble lane late are the biggest threat, so recognize any user movement toward that receiver immediately after the snap and adjust your decision speed accordingly.

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap and count defenders in the tackle box against your blockers to decide if the zone run is already the better matchup.

Identify the alert defender over the trips bubble receiver before the snap since his reaction at the snap determines the entire read.

If the defense shows a two high shell with a light box, lean toward pulling the ball and throwing the bubble quickly before the slot corner can close.

Use hot routes sparingly here since the RPO mechanics are baked in, but consider adjusting the backside receiver's route if you need a manual throw option against a blitz look.

Pair this play with Reload PA Unders or RPO Alert Mtn Screen later in a series so the defense has to respect both the run fit and the bubble alert, opening up bigger shots off the same trips look.

Other Plays in Trips TE