Playbooks

Tear TE Mid Screen

Shotgun·Deuce·12
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense Sharedcoach3Offense

Breakdown

Tear TE Mid Screen is a screen play out of Shotgun Deuce that sets up a middle screen to the tight end while the offensive line initially shows pass protection before releasing to seal off the interior for the screen. This is a blitz beater and pressure counter concept designed to punish aggressive man and zone blitz packages that overload the box or bring extra rushers off the edge. The primary read is simply patience: let the rush develop upfield, then deliver the ball to the TE in the middle void once the blockers get out in front, only checking down to any secondary flat or checkdown option if the middle screen is jumped.

Defensive Reads

Watch for pre-snap blitz indicators like linebackers or safeties creeping to the line of scrimmage, since this screen is designed to gash exactly that kind of aggression Man coverage with blitz packages is the ideal matchup because defenders are running with receivers or rushing upfield instead of reading the backfield Zone defenses that keep linebackers in shallow drops or use a spy can sit on the screen and blow it up before the blockers arrive, so avoid this call against read and react shells If the user controls a lurking linebacker or safety sitting in the middle of the field, abort the screen read and check down to the outlet instead Post snap, key on defensive tackles and ends selling hard upfield off the snap, since their momentum away from the play is what creates the running lane for the TE once the ball is delivered

Usage Tips

Call this play when you diagnose heavy pressure pre-snap, especially against defenses that bring six or seven man blitzes or overload one side of the line

Use it on early downs after you have baited the defense into blitzing with previous dropback plays like Tear Speed Option or Tear Mesh Post, since aggressive defenders selling out to rush create the exact void this screen exploits

Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers at home or against spy techniques, since sitting defenders can jump the throwing lane before blockers get set

Hold the ball an extra beat longer than feels natural to let your linemen release and get in front of the TE, then throw with anticipation into the crossing lane

Pair this play in a sequence with Tear Shovel Option or Tear QB Zone to condition the defense to expect quick game or option looks, making the delayed screen release hit even harder

Other Plays in Deuce