Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Bubble Screen out of Singleback Spread with 10 personnel is a quick-hitting screen pass designed to get the ball out to the perimeter before the pass rush can develop. Both outside receivers run curl routes upfield to occupy corners and clear space underneath, while the two inside slot receivers bubble out to the flat on either side for a quick catch behind the line of scrimmage with blockers releasing to lead the way. The primary read is presnap: identify which side has the numbers advantage or softer flat defender, then throw to that bubble route immediately at the snap since this is a timing based screen, not a progression read through multiple levels.
Defensive Reads
Watch for corners playing off coverage with outside leverage, this allows the flat defender or nickel to sit on the bubble and blow it up for a loss. Aggressive user blitzes off the edge can be a problem since a fast user rushing the flat defender spot can jump the route and force a turnover. Zone coverage with linebackers sitting in short flat zones is the counter, they read the quick release and swarm the bubble before blockers get set. Presnap, check safety depth and corner alignment, if corners are pressed on the outside receivers running the curl, that leaves the flat wide open for the bubble. Post snap, key the flat defender's first step, if he sinks or hesitates instead of attacking downhill, the bubble route has room to work before he closes.
Usage Tips
Presnap, count defenders to the flat on both sides and throw to the side with fewer bodies or a blitzing corner who has vacated the area.
This play beats aggressive man coverage and blitz heavy defenses since the ball comes out before the rush arrives and blockers get numbers on remaining defenders.
Use the right stick to manually guide your lead blocker into the first defender that shows instead of letting the CPU logic pick a block, this creates bigger cutback lanes.
Pair this with Curl Flats or HB Draw Bubble in the same set to keep defenses guessing between screens and quick game, forcing linebackers to hesitate on run fits.
Best called on early downs against zone blitz tendencies or when the defense shows Cover 0 or man press, since the flat defender is often out of position to make the tackle immediately.
