Playbooks

RPO Zone Alert Bubble

Shotgun·Wing Slot Offset·12

RPO Pass Play Run Play

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetWing Slot Offset

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

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Breakdown

RPO Zone Alert Bubble is a run-pass option out of the Shotgun Wing Slot Offset formation that pairs an inside zone run with a bubble screen alert to the slot. The quarterback reads the play side flat defender or overhang linebacker at the mesh point: if that defender crashes down to fill the zone run gap, the QB pulls and fires the quick bubble to the slot receiver for space in the perimeter, and if the defender stays wide to cover the bubble, the QB hands off into the zone run lanes. This is a zone beater at its core since it punishes light boxes and defenders who overcommit to either the run fit or the flat, and the primary read progression starts with the alert defender before working back to backside zone cutback lanes.

Defensive Reads

Check the pre-snap box count and safety depth, a two high shell with a light box favors the run read while a stacked box screams bubble throw. Identify whether the slot corner or nickel defender is aligned to play run support or sits back in a zone drop, since his leverage tells you the entire conflict this play is designed to create. Watch for aggressive user blitzes off the edge, if the defense sends a nano blitz from depth this play can get to the quarterback fast and you need a built in checkdown or quick pull to the bubble. Man coverage with no underneath flat defender is a free bubble throw, so any Cover 1 or Cover 0 look without a matched defender on the slot receiver should be an automatic pass read. Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells with a flat defender sitting on the bubble route shut this play down on the pass side, forcing you to trust the interior zone blocking and run through your gaps instead.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the box count to decide if you are handing it off before the ball is even snapped, since a light box with six or fewer defenders is your green light to run it every time.

Key the slot corner or overhang defender immediately after the snap because his first step tells you everything, if he crashes on the run fit you pull and throw the bubble instantly instead of holding the ball.

Attach a bubble hot route audible if the defense shows man coverage with no flat defender, since the slot receiver will be uncovered against most man alignments and this becomes a free access throw.

Pair this play with RPO Alert Bubble and RPO Zone Alert Hitches in the same set to keep defenses guessing on which alert route you are hitting, forcing linebackers to hesitate on run fits.

Best called on early downs, first and ten or second and short, when defenses are still balancing run and pass responsibilities and have not sold out to stop one side.