When and where to run it

Defensive lookUse when the box is loaded (defender count exceeds blockers + 1) — pull and throw the bubble.
Defensive lookWhen the box is light, hand off.
Game planThe READ is the play; calling the right action based on alignment is more important than the play name.
Game planDeclare one conflict defender and one rule: he fills, pull and throw; he widens, give.
Defensive lookVs press, use fast motion or a stacked release to uncover the bubble.
Red zoneNear the goal line, replace the bubble with a quick flat or glance if the sideline compresses the receiver's space, while keeping the same box-count read.

Pre-snap to post-snap

Read the defense

Use when the box is loaded (defender count exceeds blockers + 1) — pull and throw the bubble.
When the box is light, hand off.
Declare one conflict defender and one rule: he fills, pull and throw; he widens, give.
Near the goal line, replace the bubble with a quick flat or glance if the sideline compresses the receiver's space, while keeping the same box-count read.

Cover 0: Anything that develops slowly — pressure gets home first Better answers: Four Verticals, Mesh, Slant-Flat, Smash
Cover 1: Outside vertical shots — the free safety caps them over the top

Troubleshooting

Avoid it when league rules prohibit the run-pass conflict, when the bubble side lacks a numbers advantage, or when press leverage can erase the bubble without sacrificing a box defender.
A muddy read or an unblocked interior defender turns a simple option into two bad plays at once.
QB doesn't actually read; just hands off (or always pulls). Defeats the entire purpose of the RPO.
Bubble receiver attacks the LOS; should be running at the QB pre-snap then bouncing outside on the catch.
Blockers leak past the LOS on the bubble side — in tackle that's illegal man downfield (half-cuts are the discipline); in flag it just looks like everyone committed to the run too early.
QB holds the read too long; should be a 1-second decision off the conflict defender's first step.