Playbooks

Shuffle TE Mid Screen

Shotgun·Normal Y Off·11

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 4 playbooks

Saints OffenseOffenseSteelers OffenseOffenseNFL Live Saints OffenseOffenseNFL Live Steelers OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Shuffle TE Mid Screen is a screen play out of the Shotgun Normal Y Off set designed to bait aggressive pass rushers and blitz packages. The offensive line shows a shuffle pass set before releasing to set up a wall in front of the tight end, who slides into the middle of the field as the underneath outlet. This is primarily a blitz beater and zone beater, since the delayed release punishes upfield rush lanes and man pressure that vacates the middle of the field, and the primary read progression is simply getting the ball to the TE in the mid screen pocket as soon as the wall forms, only looking off to any other checkdown if the screen is jumped pre-throw.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing a heavy blitz look with linebackers crashing the box, this is the ideal trigger for the mid screen to hit big Check safety depth, a two high shell that rotates late often leaves the middle of the field soft enough for the TE to work after the catch Post-snap, key on any defender who stays home instead of rushing, a spying linebacker or defensive lineman with screen recognition can jump the throw Man coverage with press corners tends to open running lanes since their backs are turned, while disciplined zone defenses with linebackers sitting in the shallow zone deny the easy catch and tackle for minimal gain Watch for user controlled defenders flowing hard to the play call pre-snap, if you see a user linebacker sitting still instead of rushing, abort to a checkdown or throw it away

Usage Tips

Call this on early downs or after you have shown the same personnel running quick game concepts, since defenses expecting Curl Flats or Double Slants will bite on the shuffle action and rush upfield

Watch for blitz indicators before the snap such as walked up linebackers or safety rotation to the box, this play thrives against five and six man pressure

Hold the throw a half second longer than feels natural to let the TE screen wall fully develop, throwing too early into the blockers gets the play blown up

Pair this in your call sheet with RPO Peek Slant and HB Slip Screen to keep defenses guessing between quick game, screens, and run reads out of the same shotgun look

Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers at home, since spy technique or a lurking Mike linebacker can sit on the screen and blow it up for a loss

Other Plays in Normal Y Off