Brian Flinn, WR Coach, Princeton
Full video available on Glazier Drive: Empty Passing Game out of the Spread
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BUBBLE SCREEN AND SLANT COMBINATION CONCEPTS
This coaching breakdown focuses on a versatile offensive concept that combines bubble screens with backside slant routes, creating multiple options based on defensive alignment and coverage.
CORE CONCEPT AND READS
The foundation of this system involves placing four receivers to one side while maintaining a slant route on the backside. The quarterback’s decision-making process centers on counting “one, two, three, fourth non-safety from the sideline.” If the fourth defender isn’t covering down, the bubble screen becomes the primary option. When defenders do cover down, the backside slant serves as the “cover zero beater.”
NUMBERS ADVANTAGE PHILOSOPHY
The system operates on creating numerical advantages by making the safety responsible for the final tackle rather than including him in blocking calculations. With three blockers handling three defenders, the offense should consistently have favorable numbers to the field side. The bubble runner is coached to use a “hash number sideline” technique, running a “Nike swoosh” pattern around defensive pressure.
DIAMOND FORMATION VARIATION
A sophisticated wrinkle involves lining up in diamond formation to the boundary, combining three concepts: bubble screen to the boundary off the fourth non-safety, slant to the field as a man coverage beater, and quarterback draw inside. The quarterback’s pre-snap read determines the best option: throw bubble if numbers favor it, run draw if the box is light (less than five defenders), or hit the slant against man coverage with a loaded box.
SPACING CONCEPTS WITH BUILT-IN SLANT
The system also incorporates spacing protection where receivers two, three, and four create a triangle pattern while maintaining the backside slant. Number two runs an eight-yard stop, number three goes over the ball at five yards, and number four hits the flat. This creates multiple levels and gives the quarterback clear progression reads while keeping the high-percentage slant available.
EXECUTION DETAILS AND ADJUSTMENTS
Key coaching points include having the “run-off” receiver take his defender “out of the stadium” until the defender’s eyes find the ball carrier. Motion can be used to prevent cover zero checks, and the slant route remains effective against virtually any defensive coverage. Even when execution isn’t perfect, the concept forces defenders to make tackles in open space, typically resulting in positive yardage.
The overall philosophy emphasizes making defenses defend the full width of the field while providing the quarterback with clear, pre-snap decision-making criteria based on defensive alignment and coverage indicators.