Bubble Screen Pass in Football

A bubble screen (also referred to as a jailbreak screen) is often thought of as a compliment to the run game in football. It is a high-percentage pass that is pretty much exactly how it sounds: a wide receiver screen pass where the wide receiver bubbles away from the line of scrimmage to make room and allow time for his fellow blocking receivers and linemen to block out in front of him.

The bubble screen is a great play for getting the ball into the hands of a strong athlete or playmaker on your team when the run game or deep passing game has been taken away, and it can be very effective at the youth football level.

The play has proven to work against a 3-deep zone defense or even soft man-to-man coverage and was designed to punish defenses that load up the box to stop the run and to counter teams with a dominant defensive line.

The bubble screen is credited to college football head coach greats Don Read and Lou Holtz and first became successful with teams that use primarily spread offenses. But it has since found its way into football playbooks everywhere, from youth football all the way to the NFL. 

And that’s because it can rack up some serious yardage when run effectively. So let’s talk a little “bubble play” football with this breakdown of how to execute a bubble screen effectively.

The Formation

The bubble screen can be run from all kinds of formations but is generally done with four or five receiver sets. 

In a five receiver set, you will have three receivers (or two receivers and a tight end or running back) to one side with the outside receiver on the line of scrimmage and a second receiver stacked right next to or slightly behind him. A third receiver lines up inside and could be the one running the route, potentially after going in motion depending on the quarterback’s read.

The other two receivers will line up on the other side, with one of them on the line of scrimmage to ensure seven players are on the line.

The quarterback is in the shotgun formation and is either in an empty backfield to begin with or sends the running back in motion to clear the backfield.

The Read

Before the ball is even snapped, the quarterback should try and read the defense to make sure there is room to one side or the other to run the bubble screen effectively. If an outside linebacker or corner or another defender seems to be showing a blitz or loading up to one side, perhaps the QB can find more room on the other side. 

All of this can determine if and where the quarterback sends his running back or slot receiver in motion before the play. 

The Motion

Sending someone in motion on a bubble screenplay can be helpful for confusing the defense and giving the play some momentum before the ball is hiked. The motion person can be a blocker or the eventual pass-catcher.

In a five receiver set, the inside slot receiver (which can sometimes be the running back) on the side with three receivers can go in motion at full speed across the formation, with the ball being snapped just as he is passing the far offensive tackle. The defender for that player should be a bit delayed after the motion, allowing time to run the bubble route and for blockers to get in place.

The quarterback, who can start the motion verbally or with a visual command, can also send the running back in motion out of the backfield to either side (depending on his read) and start the play that way.

The Route

One of the inside receivers on the side with three receivers is usually the one who runs the bubble route.

Whether coming from motion or stationary, the receiver should begin by taking a step forward, but then “bubbling” back around toward the quarterback to receive the ball while the offensive linemen and other receivers release to clear a path.

The important part of the route is ensuring that the receiver can get some depth – or create space behind the line – and get his head turned back around after a couple of steps to see the ball coming.

Always remember to make sure the ball is caught and secured before taking off running.

The Pass

Once everything else is in motion with the other offensive players, it’s up to the quarterback to field the snap and then make a precise and accurate throw quickly, focusing on both timing and placement.

The ideal spot for the ball is to the outside shoulder of the receiver running, thrown around jersey level. A pass too high or too low can throw off the receiver’s route and the timing of the play.

The receiver should understand that if he drops the ball he needs to fall on it in case it was not a forward pass.

The Block 

After a near-perfect throw and catch, it’s up to the blockers to clear the way.

Ideally, the outside receiver will go for the defensive player covering the bubble screen player, with the intent of turning the defender’s shoulder and hooking him inside so the receiver can do his damage on the outside, which is where the bubble screen has proven most effective.

The other blocker, if applicable, should try to block any other defender that is the biggest threat to the bubble screen pass, be it a cornerback, defensive end, or linebacker.

Everyone should do their best to stay ahead and continue to block downfield as the receiver with the ball takes off. Receivers can struggle to hold blocks for a long time so it is important for this route and play to unfold as quickly as possible.

Once all of this is done correctly, the bubble screen should work with a big yardage play as a result!