Screen Passing Game for Football

The screen pass has proven to be a very potent weapon in any offensive game plan. When used and executed right it can wreak havoc on the defense.

In this article we will define what is a screen pass, some different screen plays, when to us them and why.

What is a Screen Pass:

It is a play from the short passing game that is designed to look like a long vertical pass play. Teams line up the same way the do when they are throwing the ball down the field.

The quarterback drops back like in any regular pass play and the offensive linemen hold their blocks for up to two seconds before releasing and letting the pass rushers charge the QB. Its purpose is to trick the defense, reduce the number of pass defenders, have the offensive men blocking down field and burn the defense for big yards.

The targets would be the same as any vertical pass play, wide receivers, tight ends and running backs.

Typical Screen Plays:

1. Conventional Screen:

Typically this pass is thrown to the running back who positions himself between

pass rushers and the offensive linemen blocking down field. The pass is thrown

behind the line of scrimmage and the linemen can block down field taking

out the linebackers and the receivers block the defensive backs.

2. Bubble Screen:

The inception of this play is credited to former Montana Grizzly Coach Don Read and credit

for its prominence goes to former Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz who learned the play from

Read and introduced it to Division 1 football.

The wide receivers are the targets for this play. They take one step off the line of

scrimmage then head back towards the quarterback to receive the ball as the linemen

block past them setting up the screen. This play is very effective against man to man

coverages and zone defenses.

3. Quarterback Throw Back Screen:

This play calls for the quarterback to either toss the ball to a running back or

throw it to a wide receiver. Then the QB runs in the opposite direction will a wall

linemen blocking in front of him with the running back or receiver passing the

ball back to the quarterback. This play is also known as the "Blitz Breaker." It is

most effective against heavy blitzing defenses.

4. When to use the Screen Pass:

This passing strategy can be used most anytime during a game and is very effective

against teams that are blitzing a lot. Those teams are very vulnerable to the

Quarterback Throw Back Pass while teams that are in man to man or zone are

exposed to the Bubble and Jail Break Screen.

When the running game is stalling or the offense cant consistently get going the screen

pass is a way to get things going. It can make the defense play honest and give the

quarterback more confidence such as how the Denver Broncos have done with Tim

Tebow.

5. Why Use Screen Plays:

1. Spark a stalled running game

2. Slow down the pass rush

3. Beat the Blitz

4. Open up the vertical passing game

5. Exploit man to man and zone coverages.

In conclusion the screen pass should be part of every team's offensive game plan. It makes defenses play more honest and have to take the strategy into account in their defensive game plan. It creates more ways to get your skill players into space with the ball and get big gains.

There are a lot of screen play coaching DVDs with dozens of screen plays. Use the links below and see which ones best fit your offense.

Football Screen Passing Game DVDs

Football Passing Game DVDs