Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Jailbreak Screen out of Empty Trey Stack is a wide receiver screen designed to get the ball out quickly to the boundary side. The trips side runs a clear out concept with the inside receiver running a vertical seam to hold the safety and outside linebacker while the two remaining stack receivers run a flat and post combo to occupy underneath defenders and open up space for the screen. The lone backside receiver runs a short stalk release toward the line of scrimmage where the offensive line and running back pull out to lead block, making this a screen pass with the primary read going straight to the bubble receiver at the snap unless the defense crashes hard, in which case the QB can look to the clear out routes on the trips side.
Defensive Reads
Key the defensive end and outside linebacker on the screen side, if they sit and diagnose instead of rushing the QB they can blow this play up before the blockers get set. Watch for user controlled defenders spying the backfield or the running back, a smart user player will jump the screen lane and force a negative play. Check safety depth pre-snap, if both safeties are deep in a two high shell the underneath defenders have more freedom to sit on short routes and read the screen. Man coverage and all out blitz looks are the most vulnerable to this concept since the clear out routes remove defenders from the screen area entirely. Zone defenses with disciplined linebackers who stay square to the backfield and read the pulling linemen are the best counter, they can trigger fast and meet the play in the backfield.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see man coverage or blitz-heavy pre-snap looks since the clear out routes on the trips side pull defenders away from the screen numbers.
Snap the ball quickly and let the screen develop, resist the urge to hold the ball since the blocking window closes fast against disciplined defensive ends who sit and read.
Use this on early downs or in obvious passing situations where the defense is selling out to rush the QB, the screen acts as a built in answer to nano blitzes and edge pressure.
Pair this with Y Stick or Curl Flat Salem earlier in a series to condition the defense to expect quick underneath throws, then hit them with Jailbreak Screen when they start jumping routes.
Watch the flow of the linebackers, if they bite on the play fake vertical action from the trips side seam route, your blocking wall will have a clean lane to the sideline.
