Playbooks

HB Angle Screen

Shotgun·Trips HB Wk·10
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 3 playbooks

Sim Explosivestress Ba OffenseOffenseSim Explosivestress Ph OffenseOffenseSim Explosivestress Rn OffenseOffense

Breakdown

HB Angle Screen out of Shotgun Trips HB Wk is a designed screen play built to attack aggressive pass rushes and blitz-heavy defenses. The offensive line sells pass protection for a beat before releasing to escort the HB on his angle route out of the backfield, while the trips receivers run vertical or clear-out routes to occupy the corners and safeties downfield. The primary read is immediate: get the ball to the HB on his angle release as soon as he clears the box, trusting the blockers in front to seal the alley.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, look for defenses showing man coverage on the outside with linebackers stacked near the line, this is the ideal shell since the screen blockers only have to deal with slower reacting defenders. Watch for a spy or a linebacker sitting flat footed near the backfield, as a disciplined defender who reads screen quickly can blow this play up before blockers get set. Zone defenses with underneath defenders sinking into passing lanes can be dangerous, since a zone linebacker who stays home instead of rushing will have eyes on the HB the whole way. If the user controls a linebacker and immediately drops into a shallow zone or spies the backfield instead of rushing, abort mentally and expect the throw to be contested. Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells with disciplined linebackers who do not bite on the play fake tend to shut this down, so save this call for aggressive blitz packages or all out pressure looks instead.

Usage Tips

Call this play when you see linebackers creeping toward the line pre-snap or a defensive coordinator that has been dialing up nano blitzes, since the screen naturally punishes aggressive edge rushers and blitzing linebackers. Snap the ball quickly after the screen alert to avoid tipping your hand, and resist the urge to look off the HB, this is a one-read throw for the most part. Use the trips formation to your advantage by expecting man coverage defenders on the outside receivers to chase downfield, which opens up the alley for your blockers. Pair this play in your call sheet with HB Slip Screen and Bubble Screen to condition the defense into respecting perimeter throws, then hit them with Quick Slants or Read Option to keep linebackers honest. Best used on early downs or after a run of successful inside runs like Inside Zone or HB Off Tackle, since defenses will be flowing hard toward the line of scrimmage.

Other Plays in Trips HB Wk