Playbooks

Mtn FB Cross Screen 1

Shotgun·Split Slot Offset·20
Screen PassCrosserMotionPass Play

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 6 playbooks

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Breakdown

Mtn FB Cross Screen 1 is a screen pass out of Shotgun Split Slot Offset that uses pre-snap motion to set up a fullback screen developing to the opposite side of the formation. The offensive line shows pass pro before releasing linemen out to lead block, while the crosser route occupies underneath defenders and creates a natural rub to slow down flowing linebackers. This is a zone beater designed to punish teams that drop into soft zone coverage or overpursue with linebackers on the initial pass read, and the primary progression is to key the fullback's leak into the screen lane first before checking any secondary crosser breaking underneath.

Defensive Reads

Watch linebacker depth at the snap since fast flowing linebackers who crash downhill on run fakes will overrun the fullback screen lane and get caught behind blockers. Identify if the defense sends a nano blitz or edge pressure package, because immediate penetration can beat the screen before blockers get set and force a check to the crosser. Key the flow of the second level defenders after the snap, if they bite on the crosser or shuffle hard to one side the fullback screen has a clean lane to develop. Look for a user controlled defender sitting in a shallow zone or spying the backfield, since a disciplined user lurking near the line of scrimmage can jump the screen read and blow up the play. Check safety alignment pre-snap, single high shells with aggressive run support safeties are more dangerous against this concept than two high shells that stay passive on early down and distance.

Usage Tips

Call this play when the defense shows a two high safety shell or soft zone look, since aggressive man coverage or blitz packages can blow up the screen before the fullback gets to the edge.

Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is playing man or zone by watching if a defender follows the motion man across the formation.

Hot route the crosser into a shallow drag if you are getting immediate pressure off the edge, giving the quarterback a quick outlet away from the screen side.

Pair this with Mtn RPO Peek Swing or Mtn Zone WK earlier in a series so linebackers start cheating toward quick flow concepts, making the delayed fullback screen hit harder later in the game.

Best used on second and short or first down to keep defenses honest against inside zone and RPO looks from this same formation, since the play design mirrors run action long enough to freeze linebackers.

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