WIN

_______________________________________________________

WITH THE PASS

THE SCREEN GAME

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
SCREEN GAME PHILOSOPHY 3
QUICK AND BUBBLE SCREENS 4
TUNNEL SCREENS 12
SLOW SCREEN 24
 Introduction and Philosophy:
The screen game is an essential piece of this offense. I once heard Dick Vermeil speak at a clinic
and he made a point that has always stuck with me. He said, When in doubt, run a screen or a
draw. As a play caller, I have really taken this to heart. I would go so far as to say that if you
dont throw screens, this offense only operates at about 75% of its potential.

There are 3 major benefits of running screens.

1) Screens keep the defense honest and minimize the effectiveness of the pass rush.
2) Screens are high percentage throws that allow you to get the ball to your best athletes
in space.
3) Screens let you to spread the ball around and get everyone involved.

Like all pieces of this offense, our screen game is pretty simple. From the outside it seems
complex, because we spread the ball around to different guys out of different formations. But
these screens are all very simple and they all build on each other. We have three base screens
in the offense.

1) Quick Screens and Bubble Screens These are screens that can be blocked or that can
be tagged on the backside of any running play.
2) WR Tunnel screens We run two types of tunnel screens, one off pass action and one
off run action
3) Slow Screens- This is the typical RB screen that takes advantage of an aggressive pass
rush.
 QUICK/BUBBLE SCREENS:

The goal of Quick/Bubble Screens is to get the ball to your athletes as quickly as possible. The
QB will receive the snap and whip the ball out to the WR. Put the ball on his upfield shoulder as
quickly as possible so that the WR can get up field.

There are two ways to run quick screens and I recommend utilizing both. The first way is to call
the screen and have the lineman block Stretch in the direction of the call. So, Ace Z Quick =
Stretch Right, Ace H bubble = Stretch Left. When you call a quick screen or a bubble screen, the
backside WRs mirror the call.

The second way is to tag these screens to the backside of a running play and let the QB choose
based on the scouting report. So, you could call Ace Dart Right X quick and the QB would have
a choice based on alignment, or the count, or match ups, etc.

You can also make auto rules where there is always a specific screen attached to the backside
of a running play. That way you dont have to call it every single time. Maybe on Dart, the
backside slot always runs a bubble and on Zone, the backside WR always runs a quick screen.

This playbook contains the basic versions of quick screens, where the line blocks the direction
of the calls, but you can combine these plays with any run in your offense and just add them to
the backside.

WR Techniques:

Quick Screen: At the snap, fire your feet but do not gain ground up the field. Open with your
inside foot and show the QB your numbers. You should catch the ball no more than 1 yard
deep in the backfield. Once you catch the ball attack vertically for 4 yards before you make a
move. Our goal is 4 yards per screen!

Most Dangerous Man (MDM): This is the most important block on the field! If your job is to
block MDM, you are looking for the defender most likely to make the play. If the Corner is lined
up at 9 yards and a safety is walked down to 5 yards, MDM is probably the safety. If we are
running Bubble and the slot defender is all the way inside the box, MDM is probably the Corner.
It will change based on how the defense aligns. Anticipate MDM pre snap. If MDM is over the
WR getting the ball, release flat and get in front of him. If MDM is over you, position yourself
between that man and the WR getting the ball. Once you decide on MDM, play basketball with
him, move your feet, to shield him from the ball. If in trips, the outside receiver had MDM #1
and the inside Receiver has MDM #2.
Bubble Screen: Keep your shoulders square to the line of scrimmage and run a 2 yard arc at 50-
75% speed. You should catch the ball on your upfield shoulder more than 2 yards deep in the
backfield. Once you catch the ball, get vertical and read the block of the WR on MDM.

QB Techniques:

You have one rule: Get the ball to your athlete as soon as possible. Be as fast and as accurate
as you can. As soon as you get the snap, turn and hit the WR on his upfield shoulder. You will
not be able to get the laces. Quick, means Quick. The RB will cross in front of you and fake
stretch, but you have no fake responsibilities.

***Texas and Jailbreak can both be run or called out of any formation. The rules do not
change. Not all formations or combinations are drawn up here.
 ACE Z QUICK

LT Stretch Right X Quick Screen

LG Stretch Right H Block MDM
C Stretch Right Y Block MDM
RG Stretch Right Z Quick Screen
RT Stretch Right T- Fake Stretch Left
QB Z Quick
 ACE X QUICK

LT Stretch left X Quick Screen

LG Stretch left H Block MDM
C Stretch left Y Block MDM
RG Stretch left Z Quick Screen
RT Stretch left T- Fake Stretch Right
QB X Quick
 ACE Y BUBBLE

LT Stretch Right X Block MDM

LG Stretch Right H Bubble
C Stretch Right Y Bubble
RG Stretch Right Z Block MDM
RT Stretch Right T- Fake Stretch Left
QB Y Bubble
 ACE H BUBBLE

LT Stretch Left X Block MDM

LG Stretch Left H Bubble
C Stretch Left Y Bubble
RG Stretch Left Z Block MDM
RT Stretch Left T- Fake Stretch Right
QB H Bubble
 TRIPS LEFT H BUBBLE

LT Stretch Left X Block MDM #1

LG Stretch Left H Bubble
C Stretch Left Y Block MDM #2
RG Stretch Left Z Block MDM
RT Stretch Left T- Fake Stretch Right
QB H Bubble
 TRIPS RIGHT Y BUBBLE

LT Stretch Right X Block MDM

LG Stretch Right
C Stretch Right
RG Stretch Right
RT Stretch Right
H Block MDM #2
Y Bubble
Z Block MDM #1
T- Fake Stretch Left
QB Y Bubble
 TUNNEL SCREENS

The goal of our tunnel screen package is to get blockers in front of our athletes and to take
advantage of an aggressive defensive pass rush.

We run two types of tunnel screens- Jailbreak is a tunnel screen off of pass action and Texas is
a tunnel screen off of run action.

Both Jailbreak and Texas can be thrown to any of our four WRs or the RB if he lined up in the
slot.

JAILBREAK:

O Line Techniques: This screen should mirror a drop back route. All Lineman, will show drop
protection for three steps. The Playside Tackle will stay in drop back protection and try to wall
the outside rusher up the field, creating a window for the screen to be thrown.

The Center and both Guards will show drop back protection for three steps, then they will let
their rushers go or throw them by, retrace their first three steps, and release flat in direction of
the play. It is very important that they retrace their steps and get back to the line of scrimmage
before they release flat. The playside Guard will kick out the first defender in the flat. The
Center will turn upfield inside of the guards kickout block and look for the first defender in his
area. The backside Guard will release flat and look for any backside pursuit. The number 1 rule
for these three blocksDO NOT RUN PAST COLOR. If a there is a defender in your area, block
him. If we get three hats on three hats, we give our WR a chance.

The backside Tackle will show drop back protection, retrace his steps, release flat, then loop
around and execute a peel block. He is looking for any d lineman that recognizes the screen
and runs flat down the line of scrimmage.

WR Techniques: Z and X will come off the ball hard for three steps, then retrace their steps
back toward the line of scrimmage, and come flat down the line looking for the ball. H and Y
will sell bubble screen for three steps, then plant the outside foot and come back inside to
receive the ball.

The ball should be delivered under the block of the playside Tackle. Once you catch the ball,
the goal is to get vertical as soon as possible. Follow your wall of lineman.

NOTE: on the backside of Jailbreak, we will run Smash if we are in Ace and a Go route if we are
in trips. Make it believable. The defense should think its pass.

RB Techniques: RB will always run a swing route opposite the call.

QB Techniques: Take a 5 step drop looking opposite the play call. Try to move the safety with
your eyes. Once your 5th step hits the ground, square your shoulders to the line of scrimmage
and invite the pass rush. Keep retreating and deliver the ball on the upfield shoulder of the
receiver. If you do it right, you should almost get sacked before you throw the screen.
 TEXAS:

O Line Techniques: On this screen we are selling Stretch to the defense. All linemen will take
their first three steps as they would for Stretch opposite the play call. So, for Texas Right, take
three Stretch steps left. Then, all five lineman will then redirect and release flat. The playside
Tackle will kick out first color, the guard will look for second color, etc. Remember our number
1 rule DO NOT RUN PAST COLOR If a there is a defender in your area, block him. If we get
five hats on five hats on five hats, we give our WR a chance.

NOTE: Your backside tackle will not peel on this screen, but he should look for backside
linebacker pursuit.

WR Techniques: From the WR point of view, there is very little difference between Texas and
Jailbreak. The steps are the same and the ball will be delivered in the same area. The only
difference is that on the backside of the route, we sell run instead of pass. So, the Backside WR
will block as they would on a Stretch play.

NOTE: MDM rules apply just as they do on Quick Screen and Bubble.

RB techniques: Fake Stretch Opposite the call.

QB Techniques: Ride the Stretch fake as long as possible, then square your shoulders to the
line of scrimmage and start to retreat. Deliver the ball on the up field shoulder of the WR.
 ACE Z JAIL

LT Jail Right X 5 Yard Hitch

LG Jail Right H 10 Yard Corner
C Jail Right Y Block MDM
RG Jail Right Z Jail
RT Jail Right T- Swing Left
QB Z Jail
 ACE Y JAIL

LT Jail Right X 5 Yard Hitch

LG Jail Right H 10 Yard Corner
C Jail Right Y Jail
RG Jail Right Z Block MDM
RT Jail Right T- Swing Left
QB Y Jail
 ACE X JAIL

LT Jail Left X Jail

LG Jail Left H Block MDM
C Jail Left Y 10 Yard Corner
RG Jail Left Z 5 Yard Hitch
RT Jail Left T- Swing Right
QB X Jail
 ACE H JAIL

LT Jail Left X Block MDM

LG Jail Left H Jail
C Jail Left Y 10 Yard Corner
RG Jail Left Z 5 Yard Hitch
RT Jail Left T- Swing right
QB H Jail
 TRIPS LEFT H JAIL

LT Jail Left X Block MDM #1

LG Jail Left H Jail
C Jail Left Y Block MDM #2
RG Jail Left Z Vertical
RT Jail Left T- Swing Right
QB H Jail
 TRIPS RIGHT Y JAIL

LT Jail Right X Vertical

LG Jail Right H Block MDM #2
C Jail Right Y Jail
RG Jail Right Z Block MDM
RT Jail Right T- Swing Left
QB Y Jail
 ACE Z TEXAS

LT Texas Right X Stalk block

LG Texas Right H Stalk Block
C Texas Right Y Block MDM
RG Texas Right Z Texas
RT Texas Right T- Fake Stretch left
QB Z Texas
 TRIPS RIGHT H TEXAS

LT Texas Right X Stalk block

LG Texas Right H Texas
C Texas Right Y Block MDM #2
RG Texas Right Z Block MDM #1
RT Texas Right T- Fake Stretch left
QB H Texas
 ACE X TEXAS

LT Texas Left X Texas

LG Texas Left H Block MDM
C Texas Left Y Stalk block
RG Texas Left Z Stalk block
RT Texas Left T- Fake Stretch Right
QB X Texas
 SLOW SCREEN

This is about as old-school as it gets in the screen game but it is so effective that it has to be
included. This screen is designed to take advantage of an aggressive pass rush. It is as simple
as it gets in the screen game.

O Line Techniques: Both tackles will drop back pass protect. The Center and Both Guards will
do exactly what they do on JailbreakPass set for three steps, retrace their steps, and release
flat.

WR Techniques: The WRs will run a Smash Route and then block once their defenders
redirect.

RB Techniques: Line up opposite the call. On the snap, sell pass protection in the A Gap. Keep
your eyes on the feet of the center for a 3 count. When the center releases, inside pivot and
shuffle across the QBs face. Catch the ball and get up field behind your wall.

QB Techniques: This is exactly like Jailbreak. Take a five step drop, then invite the rush and
drop the ball to the RB over top of the defense.

***Slow Screen can be run out of any formation

 ACE SLOW SCREEN RIGHT
LT Slow screen right X 5 yard hitch
LG Slow screen right H 10 yard corner
C Slow screen right Y 10 yard corner
RG Slow screen right Z 5 yard hitch
RT Slow screen right T- Slow Screen Right
QB Slow Screen Right
 ACE SLOW SCREEN LEFT
LT Slow screen left X 5 yard hitch
LG Slow screen left H 10 yard corner
C Slow screen left Y 10 yard corner
RG Slow screen left Z 5 yard hitch
RT Slow screen left T- Slow Screen left
QB Slow Screen left