Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Sweep Alert Bubble is an RPO out of Shotgun Wing Slot Wk with 12 personnel that gives the QB a run/pass alert based on the flat defender. The offensive line and TE combo block down for the HB sweep to the right, while the outside receiver runs a bubble screen route behind the line of scrimmage as the alert. This is a numbers based RPO that beats zone coverage and light box fronts, and the primary read progression is: pre-snap count the box defenders, then post-snap key the alert defender to decide sweep hand off or bubble screen pull.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender or slot corner pre-snap, if he is playing tight to the bubble receiver the sweep read opens up. Post-snap, key whether the alert defender crashes down on the sweep motion or sits to cover the bubble, that decides which side of the RPO to attack. This play struggles against disciplined defenses that stay home in zone assignments and do not bite on the sweep fake. Man coverage with an aggressive slot corner jumping the bubble route can blow this up quickly, so be ready to trust the sweep hand off in that look. Look for user controlled defenders flowing hard to the sweep side, since that usually leaves the bubble screen wide open for an explosive gain.
Usage Tips
Count the defenders in the box before the snap, if there are six or fewer stay on the sweep since the numbers favor the run.
Key the flat or slot defender immediately after the snap, if he crashes down on the sweep alert, pull and throw the bubble for a easy access completion.
Use this play on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage so the defense has to respect both the run and the quick pass.
Pair this with RPO Zone Alert Bubble and RPO Power Alert Bubble in the same set so the defense cannot key on one blocking scheme or one alert route.
Attack defenses that show soft zone shells or walked up linebackers who bite on run action, since this creates the widest lane for the bubble screen.
