Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Orbit PA Y screen is a play-action screen out of Shotgun 11 personnel that uses orbit motion across the backfield to sell run and disguise the screen action. The diagram shows a receiver on the play side going deep vertical before breaking outside, another receiver clearing out on a deep in, and the Y (TE) slipping to the flat behind a wall of blockers set up along the line for the screen. This is a screen pass designed to beat aggressive man and blitz-heavy defenses, with the primary read progression starting and ending with the Y screen since the deep routes are only there to hold linebackers and safeties.
Defensive Reads
Watch for blitz packages pre-snap since the Y screen is built specifically to punish overaggressive pass rush and edge pressure. If the defense plays soft zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, the deep clear-out routes can occupy underneath defenders long enough for the screen to develop. Key the flow of linebackers on the orbit motion, if they widen out with the motion man the middle of the field opens for the Y to catch and turn upfield. User-controlled defenders sitting in short zones or spying the backfield are the biggest threat to this play, since they can jump the screen before blockers arrive. Against disciplined man coverage that stays home on the TE, the screen lane can get clogged, so be ready to check down or take the sack rather than force it.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you diagnose blitz pre-snap since the screen action punishes defenders crashing upfield off the play-action fake.
Use the orbit motion to bait linebackers into flowing with the ball carrier and read whether the defense follows the motion man to confirm man coverage.
Hold the ball just long enough to let your blockers get set in front of the Y before throwing so you do not throw into a clogged lane.
Pair this with Orbit PA Curls or Orbit RPO Alert Swing in your play sequencing so defenses cannot key on the same motion every snap.
Best used on early downs or in short yardage when defenses are selling out to stop the run, since the vertical clear-out routes hold safeties and open the screen lane.
