Playbooks

HB Cross Screen

Shotgun·Trey Open·11
Screen PassHb ScreenPass PlayCrosser
Play diagram for HB Cross Screen from Shotgun Trey Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 4 playbooks

Cowboys OffenseOffenseRun N Gun OffenseOffenseSuperstar HB ReceivingNFL Live Cowboys OffenseOffense

Breakdown

HB Cross Screen out of Shotgun Trey Open sends the backside X on a deep comeback and the two receivers to the trips side on a deep out and a corner route to clear the underside of the field, while the offensive line shows pass set before releasing to lead block for the running back who leaks out to the flat and crosses the formation. This is a designed screen play built to punish overaggressive pass rushers and man coverage that turns its back to the backfield. The primary read is the running back out of the backfield as he works across the field behind his blockers, with the deep routes only coming into play if the defense sniffs out the screen and drops extra defenders underneath.

Defensive Reads

Man coverage teams that send extra rushers are the most vulnerable, since their backs are turned and they cannot see the running back releasing into the flat. Watch for a spy or a linebacker who stays home in the middle of the field, as that defender can read the screen and blow it up before blockers arrive. Zone coverage with disciplined underneath defenders sitting in short zones is the biggest threat to this play, since a user controlled defender lurking near the line can jump the screen route. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with linebackers dropping into passing lanes rather than blitzing tend to shut this down, so check post snap linebacker depth before committing to the throw. If the defense shows a heavy blitz package pre-snap with safeties rotating down into the box, expect faster pursuit to the screen side and be ready to pull the ball down if the lane collapses early.

Usage Tips

Call this on early downs or second and short when the defense expects a standard drop back pass and is likely to rush hard off the edges.

Look for pre-snap blitz indicators like linebackers creeping toward the line or corners playing tight man, since aggressive rushers open up the alley for the screen.

Delay the snap slightly if you see a nano blitz creeping up the middle so your offensive linemen have time to get out and set their blocks before the ball arrives.

Pair this play with Y Cross or Mesh Dig on early downs to condition the defense into expecting a quick passing attack, then hit them with the screen when they start jumping routes.

Avoid throwing the screen into a hard inside zone blitz call where the interior defenders are crashing directly into the screen lane, since that blows up the timing before blockers get set.

Other Plays in Trey Open