Playbooks

RNS Flat Screen

Shotgun·Trips·10
Screen PassFlatPass PlayFade
Play diagram for RNS Flat Screen from Shotgun Trips in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Run And Shoot 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
HB1RightPass Block
SLWRRightFlat
WR1LeftFade
WR2RightRun Block
SLWR2RightRun Block

Read progression

  1. SLWR right, Flat
  2. WR1 left, Fade

Breakdown

RNS Flat Screen is a screen pass out of Shotgun Trips 10 personnel designed to get the ball to the flat with blockers in front. The lone isolated receiver runs a vertical release up the sideline as a clear out to occupy the corner and take the deep coverage away from the screen side. On the Trips side, the outside receiver runs a short flat route to become the screen target while the two inside receivers work as lead blockers releasing upfield to set up in front of him, forming a wall for the runner to work behind. This is a zone beater built to punish teams that drop into coverage and rush upfield, with the primary read being the flat screen receiver first and the vertical clear out route only used if the defense sits on the screen.

Defensive Reads

Watch the flat defender and outside linebacker on the trips side before the snap, since aggressive underneath zone drops or blitzes can jump the screen and blow it up for a loss. Man coverage with press corners on the trips receivers is a major red flag, since the lead blockers will have a harder time releasing cleanly into space. Check the deep safety alignment on the backside vertical route, since a single high shell invites a big play if the defense overcommits to the screen. Post snap, key the flow of the second and third level defenders, if linebackers and safeties flow hard to the trips side immediately, this play gets stuffed for minimal gain. User controlled defenders sitting in shallow zones or spying underneath are the biggest threat, since a smart user can read the screen and undercut it before the blockers set up.

Usage Tips

Call this on early downs or third and short to keep the offense ahead of schedule against zone heavy defenses. Pre-snap, check for zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 since the screen thrives when defenders are dropping instead of pressing the trips side. Use the vertical route on the backside as a hot route alert if you see the corner cheating down to jump the screen, giving you a one on one shot deep. Sequence this play after HB Swing or Bubble Screen so defenses start keying run fits and flat defenders start biting on quick throws, opening up the blockers in front of the screen even more. Snap the ball quickly once you confirm blockers are releasing clean, since a well timed nano blitz or edge pressure can blow up the screen before it develops.

Other Plays in Trips