Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
FB Cross Screen out of Pistol Strong Slot Open is a designed screen pass built off play-action flow to sell run first. The three vertical routes from the outside receivers and slot clear out the deep zones and pull man defenders or zone droppers away from the middle of the field. Up front, the offensive line shows a quick pass set before releasing to lead block for the fullback, who works laterally across the formation to the flat as the primary and essentially only read.
Defensive Reads
Key the fullback out of the backfield immediately after the snap since he is the only real target on this concept. If you are on defense, spy your linebackers or user one to sit and read backfield flow instead of dropping deep with the verticals. Man coverage with no underneath help gets shredded here because defenders trailing the three vertical routes leave the flat wide open for the fullback. Zone defenses with disciplined flat defenders or a cornerback sinking underneath can jump the screen and blow it up for a loss. Watch for a user linebacker staying home in the box, this is the biggest indicator the offense sniffed out the play-action and the screen will not have room to develop.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or short yardage when the defense is selling out on run stop looks, since the play-action fake and screen action punish overaggressive linebackers.
Watch pre-snap for blitz packages or nano blitzes coming off the edge, since the screen naturally slows down interior pressure and turns their speed against them.
Hot route the three vertical receivers only if you see a rare zero blitz look with no safety help, otherwise let them run off coverage untouched.
Pair this with HB Dive and F Lead Read Option earlier in a series so linebackers start keying run fast, making the FB Cross Screen hit even harder later in the game.
Time your release to the fullback so you snap the pass right as the offensive line finishes its brief pass set, this avoids an ineligible man downfield penalty and keeps the blocking wall in front of him.
