Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
TE Screen out of Shotgun Trips TE is a designed screen pass built to slow-play the interior pass rush and get the TE the ball in space behind a wall of blockers. The three receivers stacked to the trips side run vertical clear-out routes (two straight verticals and a deep comeback/dig look on the outside) to pull cornerbacks and safeties downfield and empty the throwing lane. Up front, the offensive line sets up an aggressive pass rush look before releasing to escort the TE, who slips out to the flat as the primary and really only read on this concept.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is in man coverage by checking if defenders are lined up head up or slightly outside the trips receivers, since man coverage turns its back on the screen and gets beat easiest. Watch linebacker depth and blitz indicators, because a blitzing linebacker who shoots straight upfield is taken out of the play and cannot rally to the TE in time. Post-snap, key any user controlled defender spying the backfield or sitting in a shallow zone, since a lurking linebacker or nickel defender can jump the screen the instant the TE releases. Look for zone coverage shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 with linebackers reading run/pass mesh, since disciplined zone defenders who do not bite on the vertical releases will squat and blow this play up. If the defensive line is coached to contain rush and stay home rather than crash upfield, the screen loses most of its blocking angle advantage and should be checked down or avoided.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or in obvious passing situations where the defense is showing an aggressive four man or five man rush, since screens punish upfield rush lanes. Check the pre-snap alignment for blitz indicators like linebackers creeping toward the line or safeties rotating down, both of which open up running lanes for the TE. Use the trips side verticals to bait man coverage defenders into turning their backs to the backfield, which is exactly when this screen hits hardest. Pair this play in sequence with Inside Zone or HB Slip Screen from the same set so the defense has to respect multiple space-creating concepts and cannot key screen based on personnel or formation tendency. Avoid calling this into zone heavy shells with disciplined linebackers who sit and read the quarterback, since they can jump the throwing lane before blockers get set.
