Playbooks

HB Screen

Shotgun·Spread Y-Slot Wk·11
Screen PassCurlFadeFlatStreakSwingPass Play
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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

Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players
PlayerSideRoute
HB1LeftSwing
WR3LeftStreak
WR1LeftFade
WR2RightCurl
TE1RightFlat

Read progression

  1. HB1 left, Swing
  2. WR3 left, Streak or WR1 left, Fade or WR2 right, Curl or TE1 right, Flat

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