Playbooks

HB Screen

Shotgun·Spread Y-Slot Wk·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

HB Screen out of Spread Y-Slot Wk is a designed screen pass to the running back that punishes aggressive pass rush and blitz-heavy defenses. The offensive line releases downfield to set up blockers in front of the HB after a brief pass-rush sell, while the receivers run token vertical routes to clear out underneath defenders and hold linebackers. The primary read is the HB himself: check for space to the play side, then trust your lead blockers to wall off the first two defenders before turning it upfield.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify blitz-heavy fronts or nano blitz packages since HB Screen thrives when extra rushers vacate the box and lose containment. Watch for a linebacker or nickel defender staying home in a shallow zone drop instead of rushing, since that defender can read the screen and jump the throw for a big loss. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with deep safeties and the underneath defenders crash hard on the play fake, that is a green light since the screen blockers will have room to work. Man coverage with off-ball linebackers who bite on run action gets shredded by this play, but tight man coverage with a linebacker spying the backfield can trail the HB and disrupt the catch point. Post-snap, track the middle linebacker specifically since a fast-flowing MLB who reads pass and stays square can beat the blockers to the spot and force an incomplete or negative play.

Usage Tips

Call this play when you diagnose a blitz pre-snap, especially overload pressures or nano blitzes that bring extra defenders off the edge since the rushers will be out of position once the screen develops.

Use motion or a quick pre-snap glance to confirm the defense is not sitting in a spy or matchup zone that keys the backfield, since disciplined zone defenders can sink and blow this up.

Pair HB Screen with Inside Zone or HB Off Tackle earlier in a series so the defense respects the run fake and commits linebackers downhill, opening more room for the screen blockers to work.

On third and long, mix this in as a change of pace against defenses that are selling out with exotic blitz packages, since it turns their pressure into a numbers advantage for you in space.

Avoid calling this against disciplined zone teams that drop a linebacker or safety into a shallow hole zone, since that defender can sit on the screen and blow up the timing.

Other Plays in Spread Y-Slot Wk