Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn HB Screen out of Singleback Bunch TE uses pre-snap motion to shift the bunch look before the snap, then sends the HB out to the flat for a screen while the three bunch receivers clear the underneath zones with vertical and corner routes to pull defenders off the screen lane. The line and TE set up a delayed screen block, letting rushers upfield before releasing to escort the HB. This is a zone beater designed to punish teams that drop into deep zone coverage or bring aggressive edge pressure, with the primary read being the HB screen first and the deep clear-out routes as a secondary option if the defense sniffs out the screen.
Defensive Reads
Watch the pre-snap motion, if a linebacker or defensive back mirrors the HB across the formation that is a strong indicator of man coverage which can shut this screen down quickly. Key the defensive ends and outside linebackers, if they crash hard upfield on the snap without containing the flat, the screen will have a wide open lane. Identify any defender spying the backfield or sitting in a shallow zone near the line of scrimmage, this is the lurk threat that can jump the screen route for a big loss. Check safety depth before the snap, a two high shell with soft corners tends to bite on the vertical clear-out routes, opening the screen underneath. Look for delayed blitzes or nano blitz packages up the middle, these can beat the screen blocking scheme before the offensive line gets set to escort the HB.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is in man or zone, if a defender follows the motion man across the formation you are facing man coverage and should consider bailing to a different play.
This play punishes aggressive four man rushes and blitz packages that do not respect the screen, so call it on early downs when the defense has shown pressure tendencies on film or in-game.
Hot route the bunch receivers into shallow drags or hitches if you see zone defenders sitting directly in the screen lane, this clears the passing window for your offensive line.
Pair this play with Mtn DBL Swing and Mtn Fk Swing in the same set to keep defenses guessing between multiple screen looks off similar motion and formation shifts.
Snap the ball quickly once you see the read defender bite on the play fake or motion, timing the screen release before the offensive line drifts too far downfield and risks an illegal man downfield penalty.
