Playbooks

PA FB Screen

I Form·Pro·21

Play Action Screen Pass Pass Play

Play diagram for PA FB Screen from I Form Pro in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationI Form

SetPro

Personnel

212 RB · 1 TE · 2 WR

In 3 playbooks

Balanced OffenseOffense Franchise Offense FullbackfuryOffense Legends OffenseOffense

Breakdown

PA FB Screen is a play-action screen out of the I Form Pro set with 21 personnel. The play fakes a handoff to draw the front seven up, then releases the FB out to the flat behind a wall of blockers as the primary screen option while the X receiver runs a deep vertical up the sideline as a clearout, and the Z (or backside receiver) breaks in to occupy the far side of the field. Blocking is set up with linemen releasing downfield to escort the FB screen, making this a designed screen and man beater against aggressive pass rush looks. The primary read progression is the FB screen first, working outside to the streaking vertical route if the screen is taken away by defenders reading through it.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, check linebacker depth and alignment, since screens like this thrive when linebackers are stacked tight to the line expecting run or blitz. Identify if the defense is in man coverage by looking at corner alignment on the outside receivers, since man coverage often means those defenders bite on the run fake and lose contain responsibility. Post-snap, key the defensive ends and outside linebackers to see if they stay disciplined and sit on the screen instead of crashing upfield, which is the primary counter to this concept. Watch for a user-controlled defender spying the FB out of the backfield or lurking in the throwing lane, since a smart user read can jump the screen for a big loss or pick. Zone blitzes and disciplined Tampa 2 or Cover 3 sink shells with linebackers reading screens are the toughest matchups for this play, since those defenses keep numbers underneath and squeeze the perimeter.

Usage Tips

Call this on early downs or second and short when the defense is keyed on stopping the run, since the play action freezes linebackers and defensive ends crashing down. Watch for aggressive edge rushers and blitz-heavy fronts pre-snap, since those defenders are the ones you want flowing upfield and out of the screen lane. If the defense shows man coverage with no underneath help, hot route the vertical route into a deep option to punish overcommitted corners jumping the screen. Pair this play with HB Stretch Alert X Lookie or FB Dive Fake HB earlier in a series so the defense respects the run fake and commits linebackers downhill before you dial up the screen. Avoid calling this against zone shells with disciplined linebackers sitting in short zones, since those defenders can read the screen quickly and blow it up before blockers get set.