Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
PA Jailbreak Screen out of Shotgun Wing Flex Offset shows a play-action fake to hold the linebackers before releasing the offensive line to set up a wall of blockers to the left side. The diagram shows the receiver on the left running a quick screen route just a few yards behind the line, with linemen pulling out to lead block in front of him. This is a screen pass designed to beat aggressive man and zone blitz pressure by getting the ball out quickly into space with blockers already in front. The primary read is immediate: fake the play action, then get the ball out to the screen receiver and let your blockers work.
Defensive Reads
Watch for user-controlled linebackers who sit and read screen action instead of biting on the play fake, that is the primary defender who can blow this play up. Zone coverage shells with linebackers dropping into short zones can be a problem since they are already in position to react to the screen instead of flowing upfield. Man coverage with aggressive corners pressing at the line tends to get beat since their backs are turned and they cannot see the screen developing. If the defense shows a nano blitz or edge pressure package pre-snap, that is exactly the look this play is designed to exploit, the rushers take themselves out of the play. Watch the play side flow post-snap, if the defensive line and linebackers do not commit to the fake and stay home, the blockers will not have room to work and the receiver will be swarmed at the catch point.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs when the defense has shown blitz tendencies or aggressive man coverage on film, since the screen action punishes defenders crashing hard off the edge.
Pre-snap, check for stacked or blitz-heavy fronts with linebackers creeping toward the line, that alignment is a green light for this screen.
Sell the play action fake with the stick before immediately snapping to the screen receiver, do not linger or the blockers will not be set.
Pair this with PA Slide or PA Double Post earlier in a drive so the defense respects play action drops, making the screen hit even harder once they start biting on fakes.
Best used in short to medium yardage situations, particularly 2nd and short or 3rd and short, since the blockers create YAC opportunity even without a huge initial gain.
