Playbooks

Orbit Cross Screen

Shotgun·Trips TE·11

Screen Pass Motion Pass Play Crosser

Play diagram for Orbit Cross Screen from Shotgun Trips TE in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrips TE

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

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Breakdown

Orbit Cross Screen aligns out of Shotgun Trips TE with a pre-snap orbit motion man swinging behind the QB before releasing to the flat as the screen outlet. The three receivers to the trips side run a clear out package (a deep vertical, a crossing dig, and an outside breaking route) to pull coverage away, while the offensive line sets up screen blocks up front for the HB in the backfield. This is a screen play designed to bait aggressive man coverage and blitz packages, with the primary read progression starting on the orbit motion screen to the flat, then working to the crosser sitting down in the middle of the field if the screen is covered.

Defensive Reads

Watch for a defender shadowing the orbit motion man pre-snap, which confirms man coverage and tells you the screen has a numbers advantage. Check linebacker depth at the snap since shallow linebackers can jump the screen lane and blow up the blocking scheme before it develops. Look for safeties rotating down into the box, which signals run support or blitz and opens up the crosser working behind them. Man beaters like this get shut down by disciplined zone drops where linebackers stay square and read the screen instead of biting on motion. Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells, key the flat defender's reaction to the orbit man since a slow trigger there opens up easy yardage on the screen catch.

Usage Tips

Use the orbit motion pre-snap to identify if the defense is playing man or zone based on whether a defender follows the motion man across the formation.

This play punishes overaggressive edge blitzes and nano blitz packages since the screen negates outside pressure before it gets home.

Hot route the deep vertical into a hitch or comeback against soft zone shells if you are not getting the screen lane blocked cleanly.

Best called on early downs or short yardage to keep defenses honest against blitz heavy tendencies, then pair it later with Orbit RPO Zone Alert or Orbit PA HB Wheel from the same motion look to keep defenders guessing.

If the screen is jumped by a user controlled defender, immediately reset your eyes to the crosser since the underneath defenders are often out of position chasing motion.