Playbooks

Tear WR Mid Screen

Shotgun·Spread Flex·11
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense Sharedcoach3Offense

Breakdown

Tear WR Mid Screen is a middle screen concept out of Shotgun Spread Flex designed to bait an aggressive pass rush and attack blitz-heavy defenses. The interior offensive line sets up a delayed release to wall off the middle of the field while a slot or inner receiver sits down in the void behind the initial rush, giving the quarterback a quick outlet against pressure. The primary read is the middle screen receiver first, with the quarterback holding the ball just long enough to let blockers get out in front before delivering the pass, using any other routes only as a decoy to hold linebackers and safeties.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify blitz packages by reading linebacker depth and any walked up safeties near the box, since overloaded fronts are prime targets for this screen. Watch for a defensive lineman or linebacker assigned to spy the middle screen, often shown by a defender hanging back instead of rushing full speed. Man coverage shells with aggressive press corners tend to open up more room after the catch, since defenders are focused on their assignments downfield instead of reading the backfield. Zone coverages with disciplined linebacker drops are the biggest threat, since a user-controlled mike or will linebacker can sit in the throwing lane and jump the screen for a big loss. Post-snap, track the interior rush, if the defensive tackles and ends are getting home too quickly, abort the screen read and check down to any secondary route or throw the ball away.

Usage Tips

Call this play on passing downs where you expect a nano blitz or heavy interior pressure since the design punishes defenders crashing upfield.

Check the defensive alignment pre-snap for stacked linebackers or overloaded fronts, those are the biggest indicators the screen will hit big.

Use hot routes to keep outside receivers on quick slants or hitches so man coverage defenders stay occupied and cannot sit on the screen.

Pair this play with Tear Speed Option or PA Read earlier in a drive so the defense respects the run and blitzes more aggressively, setting up the screen as a counter punch.

Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers at home, since spy defenders or lurking mike linebackers can blow it up before it develops.

Other Plays in Spread Flex