Playbooks

HB Swing Screen

Shotgun·Y Off Trips·11
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Spread Classic

Breakdown

HB Swing Screen out of Shotgun Y Off Trips is a designed screen play that gets the halfback quickly to the flat behind a wall of blockers, punishing aggressive pass rushes and blitz-heavy defenses. The offensive line sets up a soft pocket before releasing to escort the HB, while the trips side receivers run vertical or clear-out routes to pull coverage away from the screen lane. The primary read is immediate: the QB looks to the HB out of the backfield first, throwing on rhythm as soon as the RB turns upfield, using the blockers to create a running lane rather than progressing through the route tree.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, check if the defense is stacking the box or bringing extra rushers off the edge, since that overpursuit is exactly what makes this screen effective. Watch for a defensive lineman or edge rusher who stays home and reads screen, often shown by a delayed rush or spy alignment near the line. If the linebackers are sitting short in zone with eyes on the backfield instead of dropping into their landmarks, this indicates a screen read defense that can blow up the play before it develops. Man coverage with underneath defenders playing tight technique on the trips receivers can leave a nickel or linebacker free to jump the swing route, so look for a defender flashing outside leverage immediately after the snap. Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with deep safeties are prime targets since those coverages commit extra defenders to pass rush lanes, leaving the flat wide open for the HB.

Usage Tips

Call this play against defenses showing blitz pre-snap, especially when you see extra defenders crashing the box or overload pressure looks from the edges.

Use it as a changeup after running Inside Zone, HB Draw, or Duo out of the same Y Off Trips set so the defense keys run fits and bites on the play fake tempo, opening the screen lane.

Avoid throwing this into aggressive man coverage with a fast slot corner or nickel defender sitting underneath, since they can read and jump the screen instantly.

On third and short or in two minute drill situations, this play punishes teams calling Cover 0 or all out blitz packages because the backfield defenders vacate the box.

Hot route the trips receivers into deep clear routes if you notice a linebacker spying the HB, buying extra time for blockers to get set before the throw.

Other Plays in Y Off Trips