Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Jailbreak Screen out of the Shotgun Wing Flex Offset Wk set shows a play-action fake to the backfield with the offensive line selling run blocking before releasing to set up a wall in front of the screen. The lone receiver to the boundary side runs a quick screen route toward the sideline, catching the ball behind a convoy of blockers with the tight ends and offensive linemen climbing to the second level. This is a screen pass designed to bait aggressive run defense and blitzers, and the primary read is simply getting the ball out quickly to the screen receiver once the play-action fake holds the front seven for a beat.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers keying on the play-action fake and flowing hard downhill, this is exactly the trigger the screen is designed to exploit. If the defense shows man coverage with press corners, be ready for a quick jam on the screen receiver that can disrupt timing before blockers get set. Zone shells with linebackers sitting in short drops instead of biting the fake will limit space for the screen and force a checkdown or throwaway. User-controlled defenders spying the backfield or reading the screen fast can jump the route, so avoid this call if the opponent has shown lurk discipline against screens. Blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge can actually help this play since it removes defenders from screen-side pursuit lanes, but a delayed blitz that stays home can blow it up before blockers get outside.
Usage Tips
Call this against defenses that show run blitz or crashing linebackers since the play-action fake and screen design punishes downhill aggression.
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into flowing hard at the fake, which opens up bigger running lanes for your blockers on the screen.
Pair this with Inside Zone Split or HB Power earlier in a drive so the defense keys run action, then hit them with PA Jailbreak Screen to capitalize on that conditioning.
Best used on early downs or in short yardage situations where defenses expect run and are more likely to bring extra defenders into the box.
Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers at home, since the blockers need defenders to bite on the fake to create space.
