Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Fk Cheat HB Screen is a play-action screen pass out of the Shotgun Empty Sketch Stack set that motions the HB out to a stack alignment before the snap, using the fake action to slow down the pass rush before releasing the back to the flat. The offensive line shows a slide protection look that sells run action then lets defenders through to set up the screen, while a receiver runs a deep clear-out route up the sideline to pull coverage away from the screen. The QB fakes the run action and then looks to the RB in the flat as the primary read, with the crossing underneath routes serving as a secondary layer to hold linebackers and clear the screen lane.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defenders spying the HB motion pre-snap, since man coverage defenders shadowing him across the formation confirms man coverage and sets up the screen well Key on linebacker depth at the snap, since shallow linebackers who bite on the play fake open up the screen lane immediately for the HB Identify blitz packages pre-snap by checking for stacked or overloaded fronts, since blitzes that crash hard up field are the most vulnerable to this screen concept Zone shells with linebackers staying disciplined in their drops and not selling out on the run fake will shut this screen down quickly User controlled defenders sitting in a lurk technique near the screen side flat can jump the throw, so check for a spy or rat defender before committing to the flat read Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with corners playing deep support can rally fast to the flat once the screen develops, limiting the play to shorter gains against disciplined tacklers
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to see if the defense follows the HB out of the backfield, since man coverage will shift a defender with him and confirm man beater potential
Call this against aggressive four man rushes and nano blitz packages that sell out on the play fake, since the delayed release to the flat punishes edge rushers who crash up field
Best used on early downs like first and second down when defenses are geared up to stop the run, since the play action freezes linebackers who key on run fits
Pair this with Fk Screen Cheat Wheel from the same set to keep defenses guessing between the flat screen and a wheel route counter off similar action
Hot route the deep clear-out receiver into a shorter comeback if you are facing zone shells that sit their corners low, since that removes the deep safety threat sooner
Avoid calling this on third and long against disciplined zone teams that keep linebackers home, since the screen lane gets clogged without run fake respect
