Playbooks
Fake Screen Verticals
Breakdown
Fake Screen Verticals is a play-action shot play out of Bunch Open TE in Shotgun that disguises a screen look before sending three receivers vertical down the field. The bunch receiver furthest inside runs a fake screen action to freeze linebackers, while the two remaining bunch receivers and the split receiver push vertical up the seams and sideline to stretch the field. This is a Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater designed to attack deep zone voids, and the primary read progression is the backside vertical first, then working to the middle seam route created by the fake screen action.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two deep safeties to know whether this is a Cover 3 or Cover 2 beater situation. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, since the fake screen is designed to bait them into flowing toward the flat and away from the vertical seams. Post-snap, key the safeties for capping over the top verticals, which signals Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell trying to shut down the deep shots. User lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field can jump the seam route created off the fake screen action, so be ready to reset to the outside vertical. Man coverage without safety help over the top is the biggest bust, since the verticals will stack cornerbacks and create clean separation downfield.
Usage Tips
Look for two deep safeties or a single high safety pre-snap to confirm Cover 2 or Cover 3 before snapping this play.
Use the fake screen action to hold linebackers and safeties for an extra beat, then attack the vacated seam behind them.
Best called on early downs or in shot situations where you want a big play off a run fake, since the screen fake sells run or bubble action to the defense.
Pair this with RPO Alert Bubble or RPO Zone Alert Bubble earlier in a series so defenders start jumping the bubble action, setting up the double move payoff on this vertical shot.
Hot route the shallow bunch receiver into a quick out if you see aggressive man press, giving yourself a checkdown against blitz-heavy fronts.
