Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Zone Read Bubble out of Shotgun Wing Slot Wk is a true run-pass option that pairs an inside zone run with a bubble screen read to the slot. The QB reads the play side flat defender or overhang: if that defender crashes down on the zone run, pull and throw the bubble to the slot receiver working to the flat, if he sits or widens, hand it off and let the zone blocking work. The blocking scheme is standard inside zone with the offensive line climbing to the second level, giving this play equal value as a zone run beater and a quick horizontal passing answer against aggressive fronts.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check the slot corner and overhang defender depth, if they are sitting at 5 yards or deeper they are conceding the bubble and daring you to run, if they are crashed down at the line they are begging for the throw. Post-snap, key the play side linebacker or slot defender's first step, downhill movement toward the box means throw the bubble immediately, lateral or backpedal movement means hand it off into the run fit. User-controlled defenders who jump the bubble route with a spy or lurk technique will shut this down fast, if you see the user flash toward the flat presnap, be ready to abort to the run side instead. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with aggressive slot defenders playing downhill are the toughest matchup since they take away the bubble throw and still fill the alley against zone, look for Cover 2 or man coverages with off corners for the best bubble windows. Watch for a hard edge blitz or nano blitz off the play side, since the zone run blocking may not account for an overloaded edge, which forces a quick bubble decision under pressure.
Usage Tips
Presnap, count the box and identify whether the slot defender is aligned to take away the bubble or sitting inside to help against the run, that alignment tells you which half of the RPO to lean on before the snap even happens.
Use this play on early downs (1st and 10, 2nd and short to medium) since it keeps both run and pass options live and does not put you in a predictable passing situation.
If the defense shows a hard box with the slot corner playing off, key the flat defender immediately after the snap and get the ball out on the bubble before the defense can rally, this beats aggressive run blitzes and Cover 0 looks.
Pair this call with RPO Zone Peek or RPO Zone Slant Peek in the same set to keep the defense guessing between bubble reads and inside slant peeks off the same zone run action.
Sprinkle in Mtn Read Option or Buck Sweep Read Opt from this set as complementary run calls so defenders start biting on run fits, which opens up the bubble read even wider on this play.
