Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn WR Screen is a quick-hitting WR screen out of Shotgun Empty Trips Speed with pre-snap motion bringing the backside X into a stack look before the snap. At the snap, the trips side receivers work a screen combo to the flat, with the inside slot receiver bending back toward the ball to act as the bubble target while the outside receiver releases upfield to seal the corner. Linemen and the near receiver set up as lead blockers to spring the screen, making this a zone beater designed to punish teams that drop into soft zone or blitz without honoring the perimeter. The primary read progression starts with the bubble/return man in the flat, then works outside to the vertical releasing receiver if the blocking wall gets sealed.
Defensive Reads
Watch the corner and slot defender alignment before the snap, if they are playing off with soft outside leverage they are likely reading run or screen and will trigger fast once the ball is snapped. Key the flow of linebackers after the snap, aggressive blitzing linebackers who crash upfield are the biggest threat to blow this screen up before the blockers get set. User a defender over the bubble receiver or the flat area to jump the route, this play is vulnerable to a spy or a user in the shallow zone who reads screen action immediately. This concept is shut down by press man coverage on the outside combined with an inside linebacker sitting in the throwing lane, since the blockers cannot get outside fast enough to seal a disciplined defender. Cover 2 and cover 3 with disciplined corner reads on screen action will limit the yards after catch, forcing the QB to check down for minimal gain instead of a big play.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows the motion man across the formation you are likely seeing man coverage and should consider bailing to a different concept.
This play thrives against zone blitzes and soft cover 3 or cover 4 shells where corners sink deep and linebackers get depth in their drops, leaving the flat wide open for the screen wall to develop.
Throw this on early downs or third and short to keep the defense honest, and pair it in a sequence with Mtn Fk Screen or Jailbreak Slot Screen so the defense cannot key on one side of the formation.
Hot route the backside single receiver to a quick hitch or slant if you expect man pressure so you have an outlet away from the screen if the defense sniffs it out.
Snap the ball quickly once the screen blockers are set to prevent DBs from sitting on the route and jumping the throw, timing is critical since this is a low air yard, high catch and run concept.
