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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
Escape is a play action flood concept out of Shotgun Doubles Flex Y Off Close that overloads the right side of the field with three levels of routes. The outside receiver runs a deep corner route while the slot receiver working underneath him releases to the flat, and the play action fake to the running back sets up a red hot route (likely the RB or check release) that sits at the sticks working the same side, creating a natural high low low read for the quarterback. On the backside, one receiver runs a deep go route to hold the safety while another works a drag across the middle for a crossing outlet, giving the quarterback a full field flood plus a backside crosser as a checkdown against blitz or heavy coverage to the flood side. This is primarily a zone beater built to stress a single defender with three stacked routes, though the drag and go on the backside give it man beating value too.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and leverage to the flood side. Two high shells with the safety shaded over the corner route are the best way to shut this down since it removes the vertical shot. Watch the flat defender or nickel corner assigned to the underneath flat route. If he sinks with the corner route instead of staying home, the flat becomes wide open on the quick throw. Post-snap, identify any user controlled defender lurking in the intermediate zone on the flood side, since a smart user will sit on the flat or drive on the corner route to bait the quarterback. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest weakness for the defense here, since the corner route combined with the flood underneath can isolate a corner in a no win rub situation. Look for blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge to the play action side. If the offensive line cannot pick up a hot blitzer, the quarterback loses time to work through the flood progression and the drag becomes the only quick answer.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or second and medium when you want a play action shot without fully committing to a deep drop, since the flood concept gives you a quick answer if the defense sells out on the run fake.
Key the flat defender or the underneath zone defender to the flood side before the snap. If he sits at five yards or less, work the corner route over the top immediately off the play action.
If the defense shows single high safety, attack the backside go route since the corner to that side likely has no deep help, but only take that shot if your protection holds up after the fake.
Hot route the drag into a deeper dig or hitch if you are facing a heavy underneath zone team, since the shallow crosser can get swallowed by linebackers sitting in intermediate zones.
Pair this call with Y Stick or Mtn HB Angle from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick game and shot plays, since the identical formation and personnel disguise your intentions until the ball is snapped.
