RPO Power Alert Bubble

Look at the alignment of the slot corner or overhang defender before the snap, if he is walked up tight to the line in run support, expect the bubble to be wide open post snap. Watch for a two high safety shell versus a single high shell, single high often means an extra man in the box which favors pulling the bubble read, two high can signal lighter fronts that favor sticking with Power. Key the flat defender's first step after the snap, hard crash toward the line of scrimmage means the quarterback should already be pulling to throw, a shuffle or hold means the run is live. User-controlled defenders sitting the bubble route as a designated lurk defender is the primary counter, if you see a defender sink under the bubble immediately at the snap, abandon the RPO throw and trust the run blocking. Cover 3 with an aggressive force defender and man coverage with inside leverage on the slot are the coverages that most consistently shut this play down, since both allow quick reaction to the bubble while still stacking the box for Power.