Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Jailbreak Slot Screen is a screen pass out of the Empty Bunch Y Flex Shotgun set that gets the ball out quickly to the slot receiver in the bunch. At the snap the offensive line shows pass set before releasing to get out in front of the screen, with linemen climbing to the second level to wall off pursuit as the receiver sits behind the developing wall. The two outside receivers in the bunch release vertically to clear out cornerbacks and hold the deep defenders, while the running back stays in to help protect before the screen develops. The primary read is the screen receiver himself since this is a pre-designed throw, but the QB must let the blockers set up before delivering the pass, so read whether the underneath defenders bite on the vertical releases first.
Defensive Reads
Key the defensive line for delayed rush recognition since jailbreak screens are designed to beat teams that pin their ears back and rush upfield without containing. If the user controls a linebacker or safety and sits at the line of scrimmage instead of dropping into coverage, that defender can blow up the screen before blockers get set. Watch for zone coverage shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 since zone defenders sitting underneath can read the quarterback's eyes and drive on the screen for a big loss. Man coverage on the two vertical clearing routes is a green light for the screen, since those defenders running downfield with their man are out of the play entirely. A well timed inside blitz or spy that stays home in the box is the best counter, so check the A gaps and B gaps pre-snap for blitzers who are not accounted for by the sliding protection.
Usage Tips
Call this out of empty personnel to bait pressure since defenses often send extra rushers against empty sets, which sets up the screen perfectly against a blitz.
Watch pre-snap for man coverage on the two vertical releasers since their job is to clear space rather than get open, so if you see press man you know the screen lane should be wide open behind them.
Use this play on early downs or after establishing quick game to slow down aggressive pass rush teams that key on the QB drop back.
Pair this with Dagger or Flood from the same set to keep defenses honest, since they will start sitting on the screen if you run it too often from Empty Bunch Y Flex.
Hold the throw just long enough for your linemen to get out in front, throwing too early into a crowd of unblocked defenders kills the play before it starts.
