Playbooks

RPO Screen QB Draw

Shotgun·Empty Bunch Wide·11
DrawQb DrawDesigned Qb RunScreen PassRPORun PlayPass Play

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

RPO Screen QB Draw out of Shotgun Empty Bunch Wide gives the QB a pre-snap and post-snap decision between a bunch-side screen and a designed QB draw up the middle. The offensive line sets a run block to sell the draw while the bunch receivers work a quick screen concept with the outside blockers releasing to set up a wall in front of the catch. This is an RPO and designed QB run at its core, and it functions best as a light box beater since the read is simply whether the defense commits numbers to the box or stays spread out to cover the bunch.

Defensive Reads

Read the linebacker depth at the snap since linebackers sitting shallow to defend the screen open up the draw lane through the middle. Watch for user defenders spying the QB or crashing downhill immediately since that signals the defense is selling out to stop the draw, which means you should pull and throw the screen. Identify zone coverage shells like 2 high safety looks or Tampa 2 since soft zone drops from linebackers create natural throwing lanes for the bunch screen. Man coverage with press corners on the bunch receivers is a red flag for the screen since defenders can rally quickly, so favor the draw in these situations. Watch for blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge since the draw's interior blocking can pick these up while the screen serves as a built in answer against overload pressure.

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap and if the defense has six or more defenders in the box, lean toward pulling and throwing the screen instead of handing off the draw read internally. Look for corners playing off or bailing into deep zone drops since that leaves the screen wide open with numbers for the bunch blockers. Use this play on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage since defenses often sit back expecting pass, making the QB draw a low risk chunk gainer. Pair this call with RPO Q Screen Draw and QB Draw from the same set to keep defenses guessing on whether you are running the ball, throwing the bunch screen, or pulling it down yourself. Hot route the backside receiver on a quick out if you see man coverage to give yourself an extra answer against blitz looks that take away both the draw and the screen.

Other Plays in Empty Bunch Wide