Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Y Screen is a play-action screen out of Shotgun U Off Trips with 12 personnel. Off the play-action fake, the two outside trips receivers push vertical stems up the field to hold the corners and safeties deep while the inside trips receiver runs a shallow drag that turns into the screen release, with the offensive line showing pass protection before releasing to set up blockers in front. The primary read is the Y screen itself as the first option, with the two vertical routes serving as clear-out reads if the screen is covered or if the defense sniffs it out and crashes downhill.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether linebackers are showing blitz or sitting in shallow zone drops, since aggressive blitz packages get exploited by this screen concept. Check safety depth: deep two-high shells struggle to react in time to the screen, while single-high safeties rotating down can be a red flag for run support that also stops the screen. Post-snap, key on the play-side linebacker's first step, if he flows hard toward the play-action fake or crashes upfield, the screen lane opens immediately. Watch for a user-controlled defender spying the backfield or sitting in a lurk technique near the line of scrimmage, as that is the primary counter to this play. Man coverage on the outside trips receivers with no safety help over the top can also bait the quarterback into holding the ball too long, so timing the screen release is critical against disguised man-blitz looks.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or in obvious run-action situations where linebackers are keying the play fake and stepping up to fill run gaps. Look for aggressive linebacker blitzes or man coverage pressed on the trips receivers pre-snap, since that opens up running lanes for the screen blocker after the catch. Hot route the two vertical receivers into deeper stems against soft zone shells if you see safeties sitting shallow, forcing them to declare before you throw the screen. Pair this call with PA Jet Cross or PA U Corner Flood earlier in a series so the defense respects the play-action fake and bites on run keys, setting up the screen as a change-up. Avoid throwing this into disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers at home, since spy-type defenders can blow up the screen before it develops.
