Football Library · Routes
Bubble
Receiver releases BACKWARD and outside in a ROUNDED banana arc — apex is 2-3 yds behind the LOS — then arcs toward the sideline for the catch. This is a forward screen when the receiver is ahead of the passer, even though both are behind the line. Use only where forward catches behind the line are allowed. Supporting receivers block only when the league permits blocking; otherwise they run legitimate routes without screening. Common RPO tag and quick-perimeter answer.
Example: @X (outside WR) runs the route at -1yd depth. Only the route runner and the QB are shown so the break stays the focus; the same route family scales to any depth a play calls for, and concepts that use this route may set a different depth.
How to run it
release back and outside, eyes find the ball; requires permission for forward catches behind the line.
Reading it by coverage
How to run the bubble against what the defense shows.
- Cover 0:
- vs blitz — a pre-snap numbers read; throw it if the box is loaded and the perimeter is light.
- Cover 3:
- attack the vacated flat when the curl/flat defender widens or the corner bails deep.
- Cover 4:
- quick perimeter vs light-box quarters — catch it and get vertical outside the numbers.
- Man:
- throw it when the overhang defender is aligned inside — you have the leverage and numbers.
Concepts that use this route: Bubble Screen, Bubble RPO