Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
FL Screen out of Shotgun Doubles Flex sends the flanker on a quick screen to the left while the two inside receivers on that side clear out with a vertical release and a deep in to drag defenders away from the throwing lane. Up front the offensive line sets up a short pass pocket and releases to lead block for the screen, giving the flanker a wall of blockers on the perimeter. This is a classic screen pass designed to bait aggressive pass rushers and blitz packages, with the primary read being the flanker screen first and the crossing route underneath as a late checkdown if the screen is covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch for user controlled linebackers sitting flat footed at the snap since they can jump the screen route before the blockers set up. Zone coverage shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 can be a problem if the flat defender reads screen quickly and squats on the throwing lane. Man coverage with blitz packages is where this play shines because the rushers are getting up field and away from the screen area. Pre-snap, identify if the defense has a spy or a linebacker sitting inside at a shallow depth since that defender is the primary key to whether the screen hits or gets blown up. Post-snap, track the near side safety rotation: if he stays high and does not fill downhill quickly, the flanker has room to work after the catch.
Usage Tips
Call this when you see man pressure or a nano blitz coming pre-snap since the screen action punishes defenders who are crashing hard off the edge.
Check the flanker side cornerback alignment before the snap: if he is playing tight man coverage on the outside receiver, the screen lane opens up faster because he has to fight through traffic.
Use your route running skill or manually guide the flanker to press the sideline once he catches the ball to maximize the blocking wall in front of him.
Pair this play with Inside Zone or HB Slip Screen earlier in a series so the defense starts keying run fits, then hit them with FL Screen to punish an overaggressive front seven.
Best used on early downs or in obvious pass rush situations like third and long against teams that bring exotic blitz packages.
