Screen Pass

May 13, 2015

Tyler Hill

Screen Pass
The screen pass is a staple of every professional offense.
It is used to combat an aggressive pass rush and to get a
safe and consistent 5 or 6 yards. The offenseive linemen
let the defense move past them and the quarterback
tosses it over their heads to the runningback, who has
several offensive linemen as lead blockers. It effectively
becomes a running play that has a head start past the
defensive line. There are many different variations of the
screen, the ones to be covered in this article are the HB
Screen (slow screen), the WR Screen, the Bubble Screen,
and the TE Screen.
Positional Responsibilities

Halfback Screen
Screen 1.mp4
Quarterback
The QB begins this play by taking his regular 5-step drop, acting like a typical
pass play. He will then backpedal as fast as he can, as the defensive line will
have nobody blocking them. When the D-line has gained enough depth,
typically only two or three steps, he will lob a pass over the D-Line to the RB.
In this gif, you can see the QB taking his normal pass drop until the line
releases and he starts backpedaling.

Screen 2.mp4
Note the QB is looking to his left, away from where the RB wil be. This causes
the safety to move away from the play as well, as shown in this gif.
Screen 3.mp4
Note how far away the safety is from the play when the throw is made.

Runningback:
The RB initially moves up into the pocket, acting like he is going to pass block.
After approximately 2 seconds, the RB will move past the line and into the flat.
He will then receive the pass from the QB and look upfield.

O-Line:
The O-Line initially drops into pass protection and performs identical to a
normal pass play. Then, at the same time the RB moves through the line, the
O-Line will stop blocking the D-Line and let them by. They will then move in
front of the RB and block the linebackers and safeties. This will usually only be
done by 2 or 3 linemen on the play-side. The others will block as usual. In this
gif, you can see #70, the circled lineman, shed his block and move upfield.

Screen 4.mp4

Notice how the RB stays directly behind his linemen before catching the pass.

Wide Receiver:
The wide receivers will typically run deep routes to clear out the corners and
safeties. Once the defensive backs attempt to make a tackle the receivers will
block. The wide receivers may also be on the oposite side of the field in order
to clear the DBs from the play side.

TE Screen:
Screen 5.mp4
Almost identical to the slow HB screen, the only difference is in the receiver.
Since the pass is going to the TE, it allows the runningback to be even more
involved in the fake, and the fake can be more elaborate. It allows for a fake
pass, a fake play action pass, a fake draw etc. The RB will execute his part of
whatever fake is called. The TE will have responsibilites similar to the O-Line.
He will pass block for 2 seconds, then release and move into the flat to catch
the pass, while the linemen move in front of him. This play uses a fake play
action pass, with a screen to the TE.

Screen 6.mp4

Note how the TE has 3 blockers in front of him as he catches the ball.

WR Screen:
Screen 7.mp4
The WR Screen is fairly different from the HB Screen, with the biggest
difference being it is much faster and thrown to a receiver.

Quarterback:
The QB will take a quick 1 or 2 step drop and throw to the screen receiver.
There is not usually a fake element with the QBs movements; he will keep his
eyes on the receiver as the play is quick enough that reading his eyes will not
give much of an advantage to the defense.

Runningback:

The RB is pretty irrelevant on this play. He will usually block and take on one
of the unblocked defenders.

Wide Receiver:
The outside receiver will initially take 1 hard step forward before moving back
behind the line and towards the quarterback. This play is run with either a slot
receiver or tight end who blocks the outside CB. The wide out will catch the
pass behind the line and turn upfield behind the slot receiver and lineman.
Offensive Line:
On this play the O-Line will not pass block at all, and will immediately move in
front of the receiver. The O-Line will usually only send 1 or 2 blockers in front
of the receiver, as the only defenders able to make a play will be the 2 corners
and a safety. The other linemen will run run block and move to take on the
linebackers. You can see here, after the catch is made, the lineman #77 is
moving to block the safety.
Bubble Screen:
The bubble is another screen to the WR and is very similar. The key difference
is the bubble screen is thrown to the inside receiver and moves toward the
outside.
This is usually run with 2-3 receivers to one side. This play also does not
involve linemen blocking in front of the receiver. The outside receivers block
the DBs in front of them, while the inside receiver immediately takes a step
back and moves toward the outside. The QB throws it slightly upfield of the
receiver who catches it while running upfield. If all blocks are held correctly
this leaves one DB unblocked, who is generally playing deep.
Things to Note:
The Bubble Screen is a surprisingly difficult throw for the QB to make, as he
does not throw to the receiver, but to empty space in front of the receiver.

The slow screens are especially vulnerable to interceptions and tackles for
loss when quickly identified by the defense.

Sometimes the RB will yell GO to tell the linemen when to release their
blocks to improve timing.

The bubble screen can be used to set up the zone read, as it punishes the
slot cornerback for focusing on the QB.

Discussion Questions:
1. Why do screens only send 2 or 3 blockers instead of all 5?

2. Why dont bubble screens use linemen as blockers?

3. Why are screens use to combat blitzes?

4. What aspects of a screen can the defense use to identify it?

5. If TE screens can be used with a wider variety of fakes, why are they less common
than HB Screens?

6. Why does the defensive line continue to go after the QB when he will just toss it over
their heads?