Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 14 playbooks
Breakdown
This is a screen pass out of Empty Chips Quads, and the diagram shows all four quads receivers pushing vertical or clearing out to the far sideline while the tight end sneaks out to the flat behind a wall of blockers. Up front, the offensive line and running back release upfield to set a screen wall for the tight end, who releases late and lets the developing rush flow past before settling in the flat with blockers in front of him. This is a pure screen designed to bait an aggressive pass rush or blitz, with the tight end as the only true read since the quads receivers are decoys drawing coverage vertically downfield.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, look for linebackers stacked close to the line or safeties rotating down, both are signs the defense is sending numbers and playing right into this screen. Man coverage with corners locked on the quads receivers is ideal for the offense, since those defenders will run downfield with their assignments and never get back to the flat in time. A spy defender or a linebacker sitting in the short middle zone is the biggest counter, since he can read the tight end's delayed release and jump the throw before the wall sets. Cover 2 or Cover 3 zone shells with disciplined underneath linebackers sinking into short zones will clog the flat and take away the throw, forcing a checkdown or scramble. Post-snap, watch for a user-controlled defender spying the backfield or crashing down early on the tight end, that is the tell that the defense has diagnosed the screen and the ball needs to go elsewhere immediately.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see linebackers creeping to the line or a defensive coordinator sending extra rushers, since the blockers need that rush flow to commit upfield before the screen can develop.
Use pre-snap motion or a hot route on one quads receiver to bait a blitz look and confirm man coverage, then snap it right into the teeth of that pressure.
Hold the throw an extra beat longer than you think you need to so the linemen can get out and set their wall, then release to the tight end before the flow catches up.
Sequence this behind HB Screen and Cheat Jailbreak WR Screen earlier in a series so the defense starts flowing hard on any snap from this formation, then hit them with this delayed release when they overpursue.
Best used on early downs or when you have identified a blitz-heavy opponent, since a spy or a disciplined defensive line sitting in their gaps can blow this up before the wall forms.
