Playbooks
RPO Alert Bubble is a run pass option out of Shotgun Trips Y Iso that pairs an inside zone run scheme with a bubble screen alert to the trips side. The quarterback reads the flow of the second level defender (usually the alley defender or slot corner) to decide between handing off the zone run or pulling and throwing the quick bubble to the outside trips receiver. This play beats aggressive run fits and zone coverage that crashes down on the run action, and the primary read progression starts with the box count and flows to the bubble key defender before deciding to give or pull the ball.
Watch the alley defender or overhang defender at the snap, if he crashes down on the run the bubble is wide open. Zone coverages with linebackers stepping up to fill run gaps will leave the bubble screen lane uncovered so throw quickly. Man coverage with the slot corner staying attached to the bubble receiver forces the quarterback to hand the ball off instead. Watch for a nano blitz or overload look on the trips side, that pressure package can blow up the give read before the running back gets going. User controlled defenders sitting in the flat or lurking underneath can jump the bubble route, so scan for a spy or a robber defender showing outside leverage before pulling the trigger.
Check the box count before the snap, if the defense has six or more in the box favor pulling the ball for the bubble every time.
Identify the slot corner or curl to flat defender pre-snap since that player is your alert key for the RPO decision.
Use this play on early downs, first and second and short to medium yardage, to keep defenses honest against your zone run game.
Pair this with Inside Zone and HB Base from the same set so defenses cannot sit on the RPO tag and start cheating the box.
Against man coverage look to pull and throw the bubble quickly since man defenders on the backside often chase the run action and open space outside.