Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Middle Screen out of Shotgun Spread Slots Close is a designed screen pass built to bait the pass rush and attack aggressive interior pressure. At the snap the offensive line sets up a delayed release to get bodies out in front of the back, while both outside receivers run crossing deep routes to clear out the underneath zones and hold corners on the perimeter. The quarterback's primary read is the running back leaking out to the middle of the field behind the developing wall of blockers, with the deep crossers acting purely as clear-out routes rather than actual progression reads.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check linebacker depth and alignment, since linebackers creeping toward the line signal blitz intent that this screen is designed to punish. Watch for a lurking user-controlled defender sitting in the middle of the field, as a smart user linebacker can sit on this screen and jump the throw before blockers get set. Man coverage on the outside receivers combined with an unblocked edge defender crashing hard is the ideal trigger, since the crossers pull man defenders away from the box. Zone shells with linebackers staying disciplined in their drops and refusing to bite on the play fake will shut this screen down quickly, forcing a checkdown or throwaway. Post-snap, track whether defensive linemen are selling upfield hard, since disciplined ends who feel the screen and stay home can string the play out for a loss.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see linebackers creeping up pre-snap or defensive coordinators dialing up interior blitzes, since the delayed blockers turn extra rushers into a numbers advantage for the screen.
Use this on early downs or in obvious passing situations where the defense is likely to bring a nano blitz or overload one side, since the crossing routes occupy corners and safeties long enough for the screen to develop.
Pair this call with Inside Zone or HB Draw earlier in a series so the defense starts keying on the run gap, then hit them with the screen when linebackers start crashing downhill.
Hot route the deep crossers into hitches or shorter routes if you diagnose zone coverage with soft underneath defenders sitting in the screen's throwing lane.
Avoid calling this against disciplined zone teams that keep linebackers at home, since spy defenders or scraping backers can blow up the screen before the wall of blockers sets.
