Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
RPO Read Bubble out of Shotgun Wing Stack Wk pairs an inside zone run read with a bubble screen to the boundary. The diagram shows the QB reading the alignment as the running back takes a zone handoff path while the slot receiver runs a bubble route underneath a receiver stemming vertical up the sideline. This is a true RPO built to punish light boxes with the run and attack overplayed run fits with the quick bubble throw, making it effective against both man and zone looks depending on the flow of the second level defenders.
Defensive Reads
Watch the slot corner and nearest linebacker to the bubble side before the snap, if they are sitting at a shallow depth with outside leverage they can jump the bubble route and blow up the RPO read. Man coverage with no underneath help on the bubble side is the biggest green light to throw it since the leverage defender cannot tackle the catch quickly enough. Zone defenses that spin a safety down into the box create numbers advantages for the run, so key the safety rotation at the snap to decide whether to trust the handoff. Nano blitzes and edge pressure designed to hit the mesh point are the counter to this concept, if the defense consistently brings extra rushers off the edge, get the ball out on the bubble immediately rather than trusting the run fake. Linebackers who stay square and read the mesh point instead of crashing down are the sign of a disciplined defense that neutralizes both options, forcing you to rely on accurate ball placement rather than scheme leverage.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, count the box defenders and check if the defense is showing six or fewer in the box, which signals you should keep the ball on the ground with the zone run. If a defender is sitting on the bubble route pre-snap, especially a corner playing soft outside leverage, that is your cue to hand the ball off instead of forcing the RPO throw. Use this play on early downs in run heavy personnel sets to keep defenses honest and set up explosive plays later in the drive. Pair it with RPO Alert Bubble and RPO Zone Alert Bubble from the same set so the defense cannot key on one specific read, forcing linebackers to hesitate on run fits. Against aggressive user blitzers flying downhill at the snap, the bubble throw is nearly automatic since it beats blitz vacated space instantly.
