Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
WR Screens out of Shotgun Empty Steeler is a designed screen pass to the field-side receiver, with the outside receiver running a quick vertical release upfield to clear space while the inside slot receiver sits at the line as the bubble target before working back outside behind the blocking wall. On the backside the receivers run a vertical stem to occupy deep coverage and hold safeties, while the linemen release upfield to set the perimeter block. This is a pure screen play designed to beat aggressive man coverage and overplayed blitz looks, with the primary read being the bubble screen to the near-side receiver and the vertical route serving only as a clear-out.
Defensive Reads
Watch for cornerback depth pre-snap, since screens like this get destroyed by corners sitting soft in off coverage who can read and jump the bubble route immediately. Key the flow of linebackers at the snap, as a defense with linebackers flying to the flat or spying the screen side will blow this play up before blockers get set. Identify zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 pre-snap, since sitting zone defenders can read the screen action and close the passing lane fast. User-controlled defenders spying the backfield or sitting at the sticks are the biggest threat, so avoid calling this into a defense that shows outside contain discipline. This concept thrives against Cover 0 or man-heavy blitz packages where defenders turn their backs to run with the vertical release.
Usage Tips
Call this when you see man coverage with corners playing tight press, since the vertical release from the outside receiver pulls the defender upfield and opens the bubble lane instantly. Use it as a change of pace after running Steelers Go or Verticals from the same formation so the defense respects the deep shot and bites on the initial release. Throw this on early downs against overaggressive blitz teams, since the quick perimeter throw negates interior pressure before it develops. Get the ball out immediately once the bubble receiver turns to face the quarterback, do not wait for blocks to fully set up. Pair this with Fk Screen Verts or Steeler HB Screen in the same set to keep defenders guessing between perimeter and backfield screen looks.
