Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
RPO Bubble Y Pop is an RPO out of the Shotgun Y Trips Offset formation that gives the QB a true run-pass conflict read on the play side linebacker or nickel defender. The diagram shows the backside receiver running a vertical route up the seam, the inside slot defender running a quick bubble screen behind the line of scrimmage, and the outside trips receiver running an out and up combo to stretch the sideline. Up front the offensive line sets up run blocking while the HB path stays low behind the mesh point, meaning the QB is reading the alley defender to decide between handing off, throwing the bubble, or hitting the Y receiver popping open on the vertical route. This is a run-pass conflict beater designed to punish defenders who crash down on the run fit.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flow of the play side linebacker immediately after the snap, if he steps up to fill the run gap the bubble screen behind him will be wide open. Identify the safety rotation before the snap, a single high safety shell means the seam route has a clear window against Cover 3 or Cover 1 man since the deep defender cannot cover both the middle and the sideline. Look for a nickel or slot corner sitting on top of the bubble receiver, this is the key defender to shut down the RPO since a good jump on the screen forces the QB to hand the ball off. Post-snap, track any user-controlled defender spying the mesh point, since a smart human user can bait the QB into a bad screen throw by faking run support then dropping into the flat. This concept struggles against Cover 4 or Cover 6 shells with two deep safeties, since the extra defender over the top erases the vertical shot and forces the offense to live off the bubble and run alone.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, count the box defenders and identify if the defense is in a run-heavy front with only six or seven in the box, since that tells you the bubble or vertical will be open if the extra defender bites on run action.
Key the alley defender or slot corner before the snap, if they are aligned tight to the bubble receiver expect them to jump the screen so keep the run alive instead.
Use the vertical seam route as your explosive play answer against single high safety looks like Cover 3 or Cover 1 where the seam defender has to choose between the run fit and the deep route.
Hot route the outside trips receiver into a quick out if you see press man coverage, since the out and up combo can be adjusted to give you an instant answer against aggressive corners.
Pair this play with Speed Option and HB Dive from the same set to keep defenders honest on the ground game, then come back to this RPO once the defense starts cheating linebackers into the box.
