Screen your way to success
Wide Receivers Coach, University of North Carolina©
More from this issue
If you liked this article, here are three others just like
it:
|
With all the heat modern defenses are bringing and the games they
play along the line of scrimmage to bottle up the running game,
the screen game to the running back has become an outstanding mode
of counter-attack. We use this package frequently at the University
of North Carolina and have had excellent success.
This package is used with a one-back set and was developed by offensive coordinator
Gary Tranquil with input from all our offensive staff members. Each of us on
the staff has had some experience with this package. When I was at Marshall University,
for example, and we had a go-to guy at receiver like Randy Moss, these plays
were an excellent way to take advantage of all the attention defenses paid to
Randy. They would double him up to one side and we’d throw the screen to
the opposite side.
This screen package is simple, adaptable and effective from a variety of formations.
Most of the blocking rules are the same for the offensive linemen, and there
are not a lot of reads for the quarterback. These plays demand an accurate arm
and good timing from the quarterback, but they do not require a cannon for an
arm.
Work these plays into your game plan this season and you’ll give defenses
fits when they load up the box with eight or nine men.
THE DOUBLE SCREEN PASS
The beauty of the double-screen is that it provides two plays in one. The first
read is the defensive end to the running back side. If he rushes, the quarterback
dumps the ball to the running back. If the defensive end doesn’t rush,
or does not get a clean release, the quarterback throws the screen to the wide-receiver
side.
The double screen can be run out of many formations with only minor adjustments.
Start with a base 5-man protection and adjust your screen rules. In this case,
the play side offensive tackle will set and release for support. The tight end
will release and block the play side inside linebacker. The backside offensive
tackle will block man-on and block the defensive end. The center will block the
first LB to the receiver side screen. The play side guard will block the alley,
and the receiver-side guard will block the alley to that side.
This play like all others works best when you have superior personnel at key
positions. It provides stress relief for your quarterback and offensive linemen.
It’s an easy read for the quarterback and lets the linemen set up the defensive
lineman with pass-rush tricks. By getting the ball into the running back’s
hands on the perimeter, you should always have a chance for a successful play.
(See diagrams 1-3)
Diagram 1. Double Screen - 3X1
One Back/Three WRs Strong Side Screen
Diagram 2. Double Screen - 2X1
Two Backs/Three WRs
Strong Side Screen
Diagram 3. Double Screen/3X1 to the WR
Note: DE peals or doesn’t rush go to WR side |
Coaching Points:
Wide Receivers
• Block #1 and #2 (see diagram 1, 2 and 3), except for the receiver getting
the ball. He will take two sets up, and then work back into the formation behind
the line of scrimmage looking for the ball.
Running Back
• Free release at all costs.
• Catch the ball behind the line of scrimmage.
• Get your head around quickly and find the ball.
• Read the blocks of the offensive line.
Offensive Line
• Know where the ball has a chance of going
•
Play side tackle run the line and block support. • Backside tackle block
pass pro (DE)
• Center and both guards block for two count and execute the screen blocks.
Quarterback
• Execute quick 5-step drop; if 1st screen is not there pump fake and throw
to the wide receiver.
• Make an accurate throw.
• Adjust on the run.
Best Time to Call
•
Any blitz situation – work on zone-blitz looks; they are more difficult
for the offense to recognize.
• Man-to-Man looks/ 2 Man
• When defensive line starts really rushing up field.
Adjustments
• You can use a receiver to crack the inside linebacker and have the TE
go to the safety.
THE FLARE SCREEN PASS
The beauty of the flare screen is that it gets leverage on the cornerback and
puts the ball in the running back’s hands after he’s turned up
field and is headed north-and-south. The base rules are simple, which is one
reason
it has been effective over the years.
This play enables you to get the ball to a back on the edge going downhill.
It is just another way to run a sweep or bounce play and use the skill kids
to block
instead of the offensive linemen. By getting the ball into the running back’s
hands on the perimeter, we will always have a chance for a successful play.
The flare screen can be run to a split-end side or a tight-end side. The split-end
side can be more effective than the tight-end side as this side has a greater
chance of getting a rush end, and the read is cleaner for the quarterback. For
protection, we use a zone three-step type protection since the ball is thrown
quickly. The back getting the ball is a free-releaser and the other back can
protect off the edge.
A blitz from the linebacker who normally would have been blocked by the running
back means the quarterback must recognize the blitz quickly and get rid of the
ball to the running back.
The widest receiver to the call cracks the first defender inside of him off the
line of scrimmage. The second receiver to the call cracks the second defender
inside of him off the line of scrimmage. The third receiver, if there is one,
cracks the third defender inside of him off the line of scrimmage.
If a receiver’s defender blitzes, he does block that defender; he continues
to the next defender or the next level. We do not block the cornerback, hoping
to gain leverage on him by the receivers crossing the field. We’re hoping
to “sucker” him into a bad spot on the field where he has no chance
to make the play.
The running back flares out to the play side and catches the ball two-to-five
yards outside the tackle, then turns up field. If the weak side linebacker
blitzes, it’s the running back’s job to get his head around and find the ball.
(See diagrams 4 & 5)
Diagram
4. Flare Screen 3X1 set
Diagram 5. Flare Screen 2X1 set |
Coaching Points:
Wide Receivers
•
On the crack-block – stay above the waist and keep your head in front
of the defender.
•
Never loose the defender over the top – spill him underneath.
• Continue to next defender or next level if your man disappears.
•
Go hard early then get under control – stay on the move.
•
First time is a kill shot – after that controlled stalk block.
Running Backs
• Must have a clean release at all costs.
• Catch the ball behind the line of scrimmage.
• Get your head around quickly and find the ball.
• Read the blocks of the receivers.
Offensive Line
• Know where the ball is going.
• Play side tackle set and cut in order to get the DE hands down.
• Play side tackle attack the defensive end and cut if he does not rush.
•
Offensive line doesn’t release and go down field until ball is thrown.
Quarterback
• Execute quick 5-step drop, may have to pull up and throw before five
steps.
• Make an accurate throw.
• Adjust on the run.
Best Time to Call
•
Any blitz situation – work on zone-blitz looks since they are more difficult
for the offense.
• Man-to-Man looks/2 Man
• When corner starts to chase crossing routes.
Adjustments
• Can game plan an Arc Scheme. (A crack and arc)
THE CRACK SCREEN PASS
This screen sets up great to help your drop-back passing attack. If you run crossing
routes, it helps to set up the crack blocks by the receivers. The theory behind
this play is to get leverage on the cornerback and get the ball to the running
back turned up field headed north and south.
The crack screen is run to an open-end side or split-end side; we found this
to be more effective than the tight-end side. One reason for that is a wide
rusher, it helps to have a wide 5 technique, because the RB can get out underneath
him
easier than a tighter technique and usually he is a rusher. We use a “big-on-big” principle
for our protection, where the running back has the weak side linebacker. If the
weak side linebacker comes, the running back is responsible for chipping him
on the way out into his route. At times he doesn’t even need to block
him, if the linebacker comes from depth.
The blocking rules for the receivers are exactly the same as the Flare Screen
above.
The running back slips under the play side tackle out into the flat area and
catches the ball one yard behind the line of scrimmage, then turns up field.
If the weak side linebacker blitzes, it’s the running back’s job
to chip him on the way out.
This play enables your running back to slip under the rush end and get to the
edge quickly. It allows the receivers a great angle to block and gives the offensive
linemen a chance to mix up drop-back protection techniques.
Diagram 6. Crack Screen - 3X1 set
Diagram 7. Crack Screen 3X1 set
Diagram 8. Crack Screen 2X1 set 2 back
|
Coaching Points:
Wide Receivers
•
On the crack block – stay above the waist and keep your head in front
of the defender.
•
Never loose the defender over the top – spill him underneath.
• Continue to next defender or next level if your man disappears.
•
Go hard early then get under control – stay on the move.
•
First time is a kill shot – after that controlled stalk block.
• You can mix faking the Bubble Screen in here.
Running Backs
• Must have a clean release at all costs.
• Catch the ball behind the line of scrimmage.
• Get your head around quickly and find the ball.
• Chip weak side linebacker if he comes.
Offensive Line
• Know where the ball is going.
• Play side tackle invite a wide rusher up field.
• Play side tackle attack the defensive end and cut if he does not rush.
Quarterback
• Execute 5-step drop.
• Make an accurate throw.
• Adjust on the run.
Best Time To Call
•
Any blitz situation – work on zone-blitz looks, they are more difficult.
• Man-to-Man looks/2 Man.
• When corner starts to chase crossing routes.
Adjustments
• Can game plan an Arc Scheme.
• Can run to the Tight-end instead of the running back as a change.
About the author
Gunter Brewer
Gunter Brewer is in his fourth season as the Tar Heels’ wide
receivers coach, having joined the staff in February of 2000. Brewer
came to Carolina after coaching at Marshall from 1996-99.
An energetic and enthusiastic coach, Brewer has produced several outstanding
receivers at Carolina. Last season, Sam Aiken set single-season school records
in receptions (68) and receiving yards (990) and Chesley Borders set a single-game
record with four touchdown catches at Arizona State.
For more information on this article or Coach Brewer, email brewer@uncaa.unc.edu.