Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA FL Screen out of Shotgun Ace 12 personnel shows a play-action fake to the backfield while the flanker to the boundary side sits and waits behind a wall of blockers releasing outside. The line and near TE show pass-pro to sell the drop back, then the outside blockers peel out to set up the screen wall for the flanker. This is a play-action screen designed to bait aggressive pass rushers and man defenders playing tight coverage upfield, with the primary read being the flanker screen first and any dropping underneath defenders as the key to timing the throw.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive linemen and edge rushers crashing hard upfield off the play-action, that is exactly what this screen is designed to punish. If you see man coverage with cornerbacks turning their backs to the backfield, the screen has a clean lane once the blockers get out in front. Zone defenses with linebackers sitting in short flats or hook zones are the biggest threat, since a lurking defender can read the screen and jump the throw. Check safety depth pre-snap, if safeties bite hard on the run fake it confirms the defense is vulnerable to the perimeter screen. User-controlled defenders spying the backfield or staying flat footed at the snap can blow this play up before the blockers get set, so avoid this call if you see a defense sitting in soft zone shells.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or in obvious pass-rush situations where the defense is selling out to get after the quarterback off the play-action fake.
Check for man coverage or aggressive blitz packages pre-snap since both flow away from the screen and open up the perimeter blockers.
Let the play-action fake fully develop before resetting to the flanker, patience is key so the blockers can get set up in front of the screen.
Pair this with PA Read or Power Read from the same set so the defense has to respect the run fake every time you show this personnel.
Avoid calling this against disciplined zone teams that keep linebackers home, since sitting defenders can jump the screen route.
