Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Jet Touch Pass is a jet motion touch pass out of Shotgun Spread Flex that gets the ball out to the perimeter in a hurry. The receiver goes in jet motion across the formation and the QB flips him a quick touch pass behind the line of scrimmage, while a receiver from the backside runs a shallow drag across the field to occupy underneath defenders. The offensive line shows down blocking to sell run action and get bodies moving toward the flow of the jet motion. This is a run beater and edge speed play in space, with the primary read being the jet motion receiver first and the shallow drag as the outlet if the edge is squeezed down.
Defensive Reads
Key the flow of the linebackers pre-snap, if they are already leaning toward the jet motion side before the snap you are in prime position to hit this quickly. Watch for a cornerback or safety sitting outside contain, since a disciplined force defender who stays home can blow this play up before the touch pass even develops. Identify man coverage by seeing if a corner trails the jet motion receiver across the formation, that alignment tells you the shallow drag will have room underneath. Against zone coverage look for the flat defender squatting on the edge, if he stays in his zone rather than chasing motion you need to check to the drag route or bail into another concept. Beware of an unblocked edge rusher or overload blitz coming from the play side, since the touch pass has no time to develop if a defender crashes untouched before the ball is released.
Usage Tips
Snap the ball right as the jet motion receiver crosses the backfield to maximize his speed and momentum getting to the edge.
Use this against defenses that are stacking the box or showing run blitz looks, since the touch pass turns their aggression into a numbers disadvantage on the perimeter.
If the cornerback follows the jet motion man in man coverage, hot route the shallow drag receiver into a quick out or hitch to attack the vacated space underneath.
Pair this with Outside Zone and RPO Read Screen in the same personnel package so the defense has to respect both the jet sweep look and the true handoff, making Jet Touch Pass a natural changeup once you have established tempo.
Best called on early downs or short yardage situations where getting a free release to the edge can pick up positive yardage against overpursuing linebackers.
