Playbooks

HB Orbit TE Mid Screen

Shotgun·Deuce Close·12
Screen PassHb ScreenTe ScreenMotionPass Play
Play diagram for HB Orbit TE Mid Screen from Shotgun Deuce Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

HB Orbit TE Mid Screen is a screen pass out of Shotgun Deuce Close with 12 personnel that pairs a TE middle screen with a full backside HB orbit motion. At the snap the three outside receivers (two split X style and the backside TE) all release vertically to clear out the underneath zones and occupy corners and safeties, while the interior TE sets up behind the line as a delayed screen target with linemen releasing to get in front of him. The HB orbits from the backfield across the formation, giving the defense a run action key and an extra checkdown or lead blocker option on the play side. This is a zone beater designed to punish teams sitting in zone drops or blitzing without accounting for the delayed TE screen, and the primary read progression is TE mid screen first, HB orbit release as the checkdown if the screen is covered.

Defensive Reads

Pre snap identify if the defense shifts a linebacker or defensive back to shadow the HB orbit motion, this confirms man coverage and often signals a blitz behind it Look for the mike linebacker's depth at the snap, if he sits at depth reading the backfield he can jump the TE screen and blow it up before the linemen get set Cover 3 and Cover 4 zone shells with soft underneath drops are the most vulnerable since the vertical releases clear space for the TE screen to develop Nano blitzes and interior pressure packages can be a problem if the defensive line reads screen quickly, since it removes the blockers needed to spring the TE User controlled defenders lurking in the middle of the field are the biggest threat, if you see a user spying the backfield or sitting in the throwing lane bail out to the HB orbit checkdown instead

Usage Tips

Use the HB orbit motion pre snap to identify man versus zone, if a defender follows the HB across the formation you know you are getting man coverage and should consider audibling out of the screen into a vertical shot instead

Let the linemen get out in front of the TE screen before throwing it, patience is key so do not panic and throw it too early into traffic

This play hits best against zone heavy defenses and blitz packages where the interior of the field is vacated, use it on early downs to stay ahead of schedule or as a change of pace after running Inside Zone or Outside Zone from the same set

Watch the mike linebacker and any spy defenders, if they sit and read the TE screen immediately check to the HB orbit release for a shorter but safer gain

Pair this with PA Deep Over or PA Deep Cross from the same Deuce Close set so the defense respects both the screen and the play action shot off similar formation looks

Other Plays in Deuce Close