Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
WR Mid Screen out of Shotgun Empty Base lines up five wide with no running back in the backfield, and the outside receiver to the play side runs a shallow screen route while the interior linemen release upfield to set up a wall of blockers. The remaining receivers run vertical clear-out routes to pull coverage away from the screen, giving the blockers room to work. This is a pure screen play designed to beat aggressive man pressure and blitz-heavy fronts, with the primary read being an immediate throw to the screen receiver once the blockers get set.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage and blitz packages are the biggest weakness for this play since defenders chasing the clear-out routes leave the screen lane wide open. Check cornerback positioning pre-snap, tight press alignment on the outside receiver signals man coverage and a green light for the screen. Watch for a user-controlled defender staying home near the line of scrimmage, that is a lurk read that can jump the screen route before blockers arrive. Zone shells with linebackers sitting short can sniff this out quickly, so avoid this play against teams that consistently drop into a Tampa 2 or Cover 3 sink look. Post-snap, track the defensive line for delayed blitz stunts or contain rushers crashing down, since a disciplined edge defender can blow up the screen before the blockers get set.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see the defense showing blitz or man press pre-snap, since the clear-out routes will drag defenders away from the screen zone.
Watch the linebacker depth before the snap, if they are stacked close to the line you have a green light to fire the screen quickly.
Use your hot routes to adjust the clear-out receivers deeper if you are facing a soft zone shell, forcing linebackers to sink and open up the screen lane.
Pair this with Fk Screen Verts or Fk Screen Sluggo earlier in a series so the defense starts keying on the screen action, then hit them with a play-action shot play like Y Post or Stick Z Post.
Best used on early downs or after a big play when the defense is likely to bring extra rushers, since the blockers need a beat to develop before the catch.
