Playbooks

FL Screen

Shotgun·Spread Y-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

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffense

Breakdown

FL Screen out of Shotgun Spread Y-Flex is a designed flanker screen that gets the ball out quickly to the outside receiver while the offensive line sets up a wall of blockers in space. The play design pulls interior linemen out to lead block once the receiver secures the catch, punishing aggressive pass rush teams and blitz heavy defenses that overcommit up front. The primary read is automatic: the QB looks immediately to the flanker running the screen, and the only real decision is whether to throw it or check to something else if the defense sniffs it out pre-snap.

Defensive Reads

Key on the flanker at the snap, if he stays in to chip block or releases slow, jump the screen for a tackle for loss. Watch defensive line and edge rusher discipline, undisciplined rushers who fly upfield create running lanes for the screen once it develops. User a linebacker or slot corner to sit outside and read the screen action instead of dropping into coverage, this is the single most effective counter. Look for teams stacking bodies at the line pre-snap expecting run or play-action, since man coverage teams that send extra pressure get exposed hardest by this concept. Cover 3 and Cover 1 blitz heavy shells are the most vulnerable, while zone match coverages with disciplined linebackers sitting on screens shut this down completely.

Usage Tips

Call this against defenses that show heavy blitz packages or aggressive edge rushers since the extra rush speed only helps the blockers get to their spot faster.

Use it on early downs or after a hard run play to keep defenders keying on the box, since screen plays punish predictable pass rush lanes.

Watch for defenders spying or sitting outside pre-snap, if a corner or linebacker is squatting on the screen side, check to a different play like WR Screen or HB Slip Screen to attack the other side.

Pair this with RPO Alert Screen or RPO Zone Alert Screen in your play calling sequence so the offense looks identical pre-snap, forcing the defense to guess between run action and screen.

Avoid calling this on third and long against zone heavy defenses that drop linebackers deep, since the shorter developing blocks can get eaten up before the receiver turns upfield.

Other Plays in Spread Y-Flex