Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Exit Alert Zone Screen is a screen pass out of Shotgun Deuce with 12 personnel that shows a wing TE going in motion pre-snap to the backfield, giving the offense an extra blocker or checkdown option near the line. At the snap the outside receiver runs a vertical alert route to hold the deep defender while the underneath TE releases on a shallow drag and the flat runner works to the sideline for the screen look, with the offensive line and remaining backs setting up blocking angles in front of the receiver catching the screen. This is a zone beater designed to punish zone drops and aggressive pass rush lanes, and the primary read progression starts with the flat screen receiver, moves to the underneath drag, and finishes with the vertical alert route if the defense sits on the short stuff.
Defensive Reads
Watch for cornerbacks and linebackers who bail into deep zone drops immediately after the snap, this is the green light to fire the screen since underneath defenders will have vacated the area. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with linebackers reading run first, expect the flat screen to have room to work behind the blocking wall. Man coverage that travels with the pre-snap motion TE is a red flag, in this case work the vertical alert route since the screen lane will be clogged. Beware of user-controlled linebackers sitting in the flat as a lurk defender, they can jump the screen route and turn it into a pick six if the quarterback stares it down too long. Nano blitzes or double A gap pressure can blow this play up quickly since the offensive line needs a full count to release into their screen blocks, so check protection or audible if you see extra defenders crashing the interior pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows the motion man across the formation you are getting man coverage and should lean toward the alert vertical route instead of the screen.
Call this play on early downs or after a few hard-hitting run plays like Inside Zone or Counter Y so the linebackers are already flowing downhill and out of position to read screen.
Hot route the flat runner to sit if you see a linebacker spying the screen side, this buys time for the blockers to set up in front of him.
Pair this play with Exit RPO Peek Snag or Exit PA Wheel in the same game plan since they share the same Exit motion look, keeping the defense guessing on whether it is run, RPO, or screen.
Avoid calling this against heavy blitz packages unless you trust your linemen to peel off quickly, since a delayed screen against pressure can result in negative yardage.
