Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA TE Screen out of I Form Pro (21 personnel) sells the play-action fake to the HB before releasing the TE on a screen behind the line. Both outside WRs run vertical clearout routes up the sideline to pull corners and safeties out of the underneath area, while the offensive line lets the play-action rush come upfield before sliding out to set up screen blocking in front of the TE. The primary read is the TE screen itself: the QB fakes the handoff, hits his drop, and immediately looks to dump it to the TE releasing into the flat with blockers building a wall in front of him.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker and any user-controlled defender at the second level, if they crash hard on the play-action fake it confirms the screen will have room to develop. Watch cornerback depth on the outside receivers before the snap, press man coverage tends to bite on the vertical clearout and vacates the flat for the TE. Identify blitz packages pre-snap, since sending extra rushers upfield plays directly into the screen design and leaves nobody to defend the TE release. Look for a spy or a linebacker who sits and reads the QB instead of flowing with the fake, that defender is the biggest threat to jump the throwing lane. This play is vulnerable to teams that play disciplined zone with a linebacker staying home in the shallow area, since that defender can undercut the screen before blockers get set.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or when the defense has shown aggressive edge pressure or blitz packages, since the play-action fake and screen design punish defenders crashing upfield.
Watch pre-snap for safeties creeping down into the box or corners playing tight man, the vertical clearout routes are designed to bait that alignment and open the flat for the TE.
Hold the play-action fake as long as possible to let the offensive line get out in front of the TE, then throw with anticipation rather than waiting for full separation.
Use this play in sequence after establishing HB runs or HB Lead Draw from the same I Form Pro look, so defenders respect the run fake and bite harder on the play-action.
Avoid calling this against zone-heavy shells with linebackers sitting underneath, since sitting defenders can jump the screen before the wall forms.
