Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
TE Screen out of Y Off Trips Wk shows two outside verticals from the trips side clearing the deep zones while the inside trips receiver runs a shallow curl to hold underneath defenders. The tight end releases from the backfield area, sells pass protection for a beat, then slips out to the flat behind a wall of blockers pulling from the offensive line. This is a screen play designed to bait aggressive pass rushers and blitz packages, with the primary read being the TE in the flat first, working back to the shallow curl route as a checkdown if the screen is diagnosed.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a defensive end or outside linebacker crashing hard upfield immediately after the snap, since that is the exact trigger this screen is designed to exploit. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with deep safeties staying back, the two verticals will not draw enough attention and a disciplined flat defender can sit on the TE screen. Key the middle linebacker's initial drop, if he sprints downfield in zone coverage instead of scraping toward the line, he is out of position to make the tackle short. User-controlled defenders lurking near the line of scrimmage or spying the backfield are the biggest counter to this play, since they can read the delayed release and blow it up for a loss. Man coverage with press corners on the outside verticals can bait even more space underneath, but a linebacker in man on the TE will negate the entire concept.
Usage Tips
Call this against defenses showing heavy blitz pressure or aggressive edge rushers who consistently crash upfield off the snap.
Check the pre-snap alignment for walked up linebackers or slot corners showing blitz, since those defenders will overrun the screen and open up the TE lane.
Use hot routes sparingly here since the play relies on timing, but you can slide protection or adjust the shallow curl route depth if you see man coverage sitting underneath.
Pair this with Boomerang Y Lead Read Option or HB Draw earlier in a drive to condition the defense into expecting downhill run action, making the delayed TE release more effective.
Best used on early downs or after establishing inside zone runs, since defenses playing run support will vacate the flat and get caught by the screen blockers.
