Playbooks

Mtn HB Screen

Screen Pass Hb Screen Motion Pass Play Deep Cross Crosser Post Streak Swing

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

Player	Side	Route
HB1	Middle	Slip Screen
WR3	Left	Post
WR2	Left	Swing
TE1	Right	Streak
WR1	Left	Deep Cross

Read progression

HB1, Slip Screen
WR3 left, Post or WR2 left, Swing or TE1 right, Streak or WR1 left, Deep Cross

Breakdown

Mtn HB Screen out of Singleback Bunch TE motions a bunch receiver in tight before the snap while the offensive line sets up a screen for the HB, who releases behind that developing wall of blockers into the boundary. The three bunch receivers push vertical stems (one up the seam, one outside release, and one working across the middle at intermediate depth) to occupy underneath defenders and drag linebackers away from the screen lane, while the HB slips out to the flat to catch the pass in space. This is a screen play built to beat aggressive man pressure and blitz-heavy zone looks, with the primary read progression being throw to the HB screen first once blockers get in front, working to the crossing route over the middle as a check down if the screen is sniffed out or contained.

Defensive Reads

Watch for defensive ends and outside linebackers with contain responsibility, since disciplined edge defenders who stay home on the screen side will blow this play up immediately Key on middle linebackers and their initial drop, because a linebacker who sits and reads instead of chasing the crossing route can jump the screen lane Check for user controlled defenders spying the backfield after the snap, since a user flowing hard toward the HB before blockers get set is the biggest threat to this play Identify Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells pre-snap, as these coverages tend to keep linebackers and safeties in better position to close on the screen quickly Look for blitz packages showing pressure from depth, since blitzing linebackers who cross the line of scrimmage aggressively open up running lanes once the screen blockers get outside

Usage Tips

Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is playing man or zone, since a defender following the motion man across the formation confirms man coverage and a green light for the screen

Call this on early downs or in obvious passing situations where the defense expects a drop back throw, since the screen action punishes overaggressive pass rush and blitz packages

Hot route the backside bunch receiver into a quick out or hitch if you see a corner sitting flat footed at the line, giving you a second option if the screen is covered

Pair this with Mtn Inside Zone or HB Pump Draw in the same set to keep defenders honest against the run before dialing up the screen when linebackers start crashing downhill

Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers at home, since screen blockers can get out flanked before the HB gets to the edge