Playbooks

Mtn TE Mid 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

Spread Classic

Breakdown

Mtn TE Mid Screen is a screen play out of Shotgun Spread Y-Flex that gets the ball to the tight end working across the middle of the field behind a wall of blockers. The offensive line and outside receivers release to set up screen blocks while the TE delays before slipping into the vacated middle, punishing aggressive pass rush teams and man coverage that follows receivers downfield. The primary read progression is quick: identify blitz or man pressure pre snap, then get the ball out to the TE the instant the interior wall forms, using the fullback or guard blockers as your lead escorts.

Defensive Reads

Watch for defenders crashing hard off the edge or blitzing through the A and B gaps since the TE screen thrives against aggressive four and five man pressure. Check linebacker depth at the snap, if they sit shallow and stay home in zone drops they can jump the screen lane and blow it up for a loss. Man coverage that trails receivers into their routes leaves the middle wide open once the wall sets, so look for cornerbacks and safeties running with the outside routes instead of reading the backfield. Beware of a spy or a user controlled linebacker sitting still in the middle of the field, that player can be the difference maker who diagnoses the screen and tackles the TE for minimal or negative yardage. Cover 0 and Cover 1 blitzes get hit hardest by this concept while disciplined zone defenses like Cover 4 or Cover 6 with linebackers reading the backfield can sit on the screen and limit the gain.

Usage Tips

Call this play when you see linebackers creeping to the line or a pre snap indicator of an interior blitz since the middle screen exploits vacated underneath zones. Use it on early downs or in second and long to slow down aggressive pass rush teams that are pinning their ears back off the edge. Motion a receiver pre snap to check if the defense follows in man coverage, which confirms the TE screen will have room to work versus man beaters getting picked off downfield. Pair this call with Mtn HB Cross Screen or Mtn WR Mid Screen earlier in a drive so the defense starts respecting multiple screen looks and slows its pass rush. If the user controls a linebacker and sits in the middle of the field, be ready to hold the ball an extra beat and let your blockers clear a lane rather than forcing the throw into a lurking defender.

Other Plays in Spread Y-Flex