Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
RPO Power Alert Bubble is a run-pass option built off a Power gap scheme run to the strong side, with a bubble screen alert to the perimeter as the pass option. The quarterback reads the play side alert defender (usually the overhang linebacker or slot corner) at the snap: if that defender crashes down to fill the Power run lane, the QB pulls and throws the bubble to the flat for a numbers advantage, and if he sits or backs out to cover the bubble, the QB hands off into the Power scheme behind the double team and puller. This is a run-first RPO with a built-in zone beater bubble access, not a designed man beater since the bubble read gets erased by an aggressive man corner sitting on it.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the alert defender over the bubble receiver, if he is a linebacker walked out wide he is more likely to crash on run action and open up the bubble throw. Look for two deep safeties versus one deep safety, a single high shell tells you extra run support in the box which favors pulling the bubble read, while two high often means the flat is manned up tighter. Post-snap, watch for user-controlled defenders flying downhill on the run fake, that flash of aggression is your green light to throw the bubble before the window closes. Man coverage with a corner sitting outside on the bubble receiver kills this RPO's pass option, so if you see press man alignment pre-snap, be ready to stay with the Power run regardless of the read. Nano blitzes and interior line stunts can beat the Power blocking scheme before the RPO read even develops, so respect fast inside pressure by getting the ball out on the bubble quickly if the alert defender bites even slightly.
Usage Tips
Check the alignment of the slot defender over your bubble receiver before the snap, if he is walked up in the flat with outside leverage this becomes a run-first call.
Use this on early downs in run-heavy sequences to keep defenses honest, then pair it with RPO Read Bubble or RPO Zone Alert Bubble later in the drive so the defense cannot key on your alert receiver.
If the defense shows a two high shell with soft corners, hot route the bubble receiver into a quick out or take the automatic bubble read since the flat defender will likely be occupied by zone drop responsibilities.
Against aggressive linebackers who key run fast, trust the pull and throw the bubble immediately rather than hesitating, since Power's blocking gives the defense a numbers edge if the alert defender stays home.
Sequence this with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Counter Read from the same set to keep the pre-snap picture identical while attacking different leverage points, forcing defenders to guess between crashing the box and honoring the perimeter.
