Sunday, July 10, 2011

Football Screen Pass


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.
The screen play has become an integral part of every offense. Used right it can jump start a running game while opening up the vertical passing game. There are quality videos by top flight coaches that are experts in the screen passing game. Check out our list of screen passing game DVDs at http://www.scoretouchdowns.com/the-screen-passing-game-videos-&-dvds.html See if we have the instructional screen play DVDs that will help you.
Check out our entire list of passing game videos at: http://www.scoretouchdowns.com/football-passing-game-videos-&-dvds.html


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