Bubble Screen Mechanics

we push,crossover andmove parallal to the l.o.s. we tell the qb to aim for the facemask. we also call are bubble NOW because we want the ball to get there now and to get upfield NOW.

We taught the bubble (and orbit motion) as an arc. First step with outside foot to 45 (or 5 O'Clock, some kids got that better), second step follows that path, 3rd step we're back on the outside foot so we begin to level out, 4th step level, 5th step 45 up field, get your head around and find the ball. QB takes the snap, one step back, set the other foot immediately and throws the ball right down the LOS. Getting a little more depth to come a little straighter up field seemed to help the QBs ability to hit the moving target and the receivers ability to see the ball. We practiced it off of landmarks by placing a cone where the depth bottomed out, a cone where we wanted the ball and receiver to meet, had the QB uses the same rhythm everytime, and each receiver adjusts his split in a way that lets him get to the landmarks in time.

That particular timing worked with our personnel and age group (middle school, so your mileage may vary) and we tended to catch the ball headed upfield. Some did it better than others, but the times we missed the throw the QB either rushed or got lazy with his footwork. Great play when they crowd the box.

We teach our receivers, one quick hitch step backward, turn numbers to the QB and move toward him, catch the ball on the move. If the DB, SS, OLB smells it out, we haven't given up much. If you backpedal, and get deeper there is a chance of a substantial loss,or of the QB throwing the ball backward. Groundchuck, I hear you because you've shared before how your present QB can't throw, and a moving target would really be a challenge for him. To the coach who has his receivers backpedal, if it works for you go with it. To my notion, there are several approaches to any situation on a Football field and I've never seen anything in stone that it has to be done only one way. To be sure, there are lots of ways that are better than lots of others, granted. I always like to use Rod Carew, the great baseball hitter. His stance in the box was the wierdest, it defied all the things that good hitting instructors swear by. He looked like a corkscrew in the box, but when the ball came into the strike zone, he uncoiled on it and drove it like a nail!

J.C.Easton

If that response is yes to the above post, the receiver backpeddling toward the sideline with his numbers toward the QB, thats very feasable. I didn't read the post closely enough I guess, as I didn't catch your statement that you turn and backpeddled, which of course, would have you going straight to the sideline. How far off, yard wise from the ball, is your normal WR split on both sides?

Coach Easton

We've done the same thing as "set-hut" in terms of our bubble screen. We no longer run the slant/flat scheme..since we do run the bubble screen (and it is typically an audible based on the alignment of the defense), we also will run the slant/bubble looking for a fast reaction to the bubble by the invert. Also, if the corner squats to destroy the bubble, adjust with the outside receiver and throw over the top....good scheme, set-hut...we implemented that scheme in spring ball and will use it this fall. pdow