Description

Gunter Brewer, Asst Head Coach/Inside WR/TE Coach, Marshall

Full video on Glazier Drive:  RPO's Part 1: Screen Tags & Single WR Tags

Here's a summary of the transcript:

OVERVIEW

This video breaks down the RPO bubble screen concept — the most common entry point coaches use when installing RPOs. It's built on a zone read where the quarterback has three options: pull and keep, hand off the zone run, or throw the bubble screen based on numbers and leverage read on the perimeter. The presenter walks through numerous game clips (from youth, college, and NFL sources) to illustrate the concept in different formations and situations.

CORE CONCEPT: THE READ

The quarterback's decision hinges on numbers and leverage in the perimeter. If the defense has a player "covered down" (a defender assigned to the bubble receiver), the QB doesn't throw it — he moves on to the zone read. If the perimeter is uncovered or a defender triggers/blitzes, that's the green light to throw the bubble for an easy gain. The presenter emphasizes this is a simple counting exercise for the QB and receivers: are we outnumbered out here or not.

FORMATION FLEXIBILITY

The concept works out of almost any formation — 2x2, 3x1, stacks, bunches, unbalanced sets, quads looks, and with pre-snap motion. The presenter stresses that the specific formation doesn't matter much; what matters is teaching the read. He also shows using tight ends in "arc" or "bluff" blocking roles, and cross-cutting bubble action from one side of the formation to the other.

EXPANDING THE CONCEPT: TRIPLE OPTION ELEMENT

Several clips show adding an "X tag" — giving the perimeter receiver the ability to convert the bubble into a hitch, quick out, or fade — which turns the play into a true triple-option style play for the quarterback (give, keep, or throw with additional route conversion).

KEY COACHING POINTS

• Perimeter blocking is critical. Several clips show plays that should have gone for big gains but were limited because a receiver missed a block. The presenter stresses coaching receivers and tight ends to sustain blocks on the perimeter.
• Reading defender leverage/technique. He points out pre-snap and post-snap indicators (a defender's feet split, eyes looking inside, helmet tilt) as tells for "trap" coverage, where a corner may squeeze inside — receivers need to be ready to adjust blocking angles.
• Motion as an indicator. Using slow/low motion pre-snap can reveal man coverage ("man's own indicator") and help identify who is covering whom before the snap.
• Using a slot/motion back. One variation shows motioning a back out of the backfield to create the numbers advantage, reading whether the defense shifts out (run it) or stays inside (throw it).

BIG PICTURE TAKEAWAY

The presenter frames the bubble RPO as low-risk, high-reward: it blocks fewer defenders up front, gives the QB an easy pre/post-snap read, and consistently produces 4-6+ yard gains when executed correctly — which is why it's used at every level from youth football through the NFL.

---

Reviews

---

Comments