I t is an honor and a privilege to contribute some of our wide receiver screen con- cepts at Lehigh University for the 2000 Fullback: Sell full flow to the strong side and block the end man on line of scrimmage. AFCA Summer Manual. We would like to Quick Tackle: Pull flat down the line of thank Tim Landis, the Summer Manual scrimmage and kick out the cornerback. Committee and Lehigh Head Coach Kevin Work upfield if necessary. Leave the five Higgins for allowing us this opportunity. In technique unblocked unless he buzzes to addition, it is important to recognize the the flat in a zone dog. Dave Cecchini outstanding student-athletes in our pro- Quick Guard: Block an outside zone gram whose hard work and dedication has course through the weak side B gap, climb- Offensive enabled us to reach the I-AA playoffs for ing to the Will linebacker. Coordinator/ the last two years. Center: Block an outside zone course Wide Receivers Wide receiver screens are an important to the weak side. Try to reach a three tech- Coach element in our offensive scheme. nique if you can. Prevent initial penetration. There are five main benefits our wide Strong Guard: Block an outside zone Lehigh University receiver screen package provides our course to the weak side. Prevent initial offense penetration. Work up to the second level. Bethlehem, Pa. 1. It’s flexible. We are able to run at least Strong Tackle: Block an outside zone one type of wide receiver screen out of all course to the weak side. Prevent initial our formations and personnel groups. penetration. Work up to the second level. 2. It’s practical. We are able to install Tight End: Block an outside zone and fine tune our screens using a minimum course to the weak side. Prevent initial of team practice time. penetration. Work up to the second level. 3. It’s high-percentage/high yield. Over Quarterback: If under center, fake toss Pete Lembo the past three years, we have completed to the strong side, set and throw to X. If in over 86 percent of our wide receiver the shotgun, fake an inside zone handoff to Assistant screens, with an average of more than 12 the strong side, set and throw to X. Head Coach/ yards per reception. Z: Take an angle to cut off the half or Offensive Line 4. It slows down an opponent’s pass third defender to your side. Stalk and cut if Coach rush. As defensive linemen are forced to appropriate. defend the wide receiver screen, they are X: Maximum split. Take two steps for- less effective rushing the quarterback dur- ward, then work back to one yard behind ing dropback pass. the line of scrimmage. Turn your numbers 5. Big play potential. Every wide receiv- towards the quarterback. Once you make er screen has a chance to go the distance. the catch, get behind and read the block of the quick tackle. Once you navigate his The X Quick Screen block, understand that the pursuit will come The quick screen to the X or backside from the inside. Work back outside and receiver is easy to install and can compli- score! ment just about any run game. Like most of Diagram 1 our run and pass game, it can be used from a variety of personnel groups, formations, motions and even from the shotgun. Each week we will look to run this screen from a formation which is: 1. based on the defense’s typical alignment gives our line- men a chance to execute their assign- ments successfully and 2. reflects similari- ties to what we are trying to accomplish in the run game as it is a play-action screen Diagram 2
Quick Screen Assignments and
Techniques Tailback: If the quarterback is under center, fake the toss play to the strong side. If the quarterback is in the shotgun, fake the inside zone play to the strong side and look to pick-up the end man on the line of scrimmage
• AFCA Summer Manual — 2000 •
Diagram 3 the slip screen (quickly), and block deep If third linebacker blitzes, let him go and half or third safety. find the next most dangerous defender Z: Maximum split. Take two steps for- downfield. ward, then work back towards the quarter- Strong Tackle: Pass set, inviting the back under control, getting three yards defensive end up the field, then seal him off behind the line of scrimmage. Make the from falling back into the play. catch and get downfield! Tight End: Release and block defender over the slot wide receiver. Diagram 4 Quarterback: After receiving the snap, pump fake the screen away from the X, The Z Slip Screen then turn and deliver the slip screen by The slip screen to the Z (outside) receiv- leading the X downfield with your throw. er is an excellent compliment to dropback X: Maximum split. Take two steps for- pass. It can be used out of a variety of for- ward, then work back towards the quarter- mations, with the quarterback under center back under control, getting three yards or in the shotgun. In this scheme, the inte- behind the line of scrimmage. Make the rior linemen will count the linebacker’s catch and get downfield! starting from the strong side. We try not to Z: Fake the slip screen (quickly) and get Diagram 5 over-coach the Z receiver as to what to do downfield to block deep half safety. If there after the catch, other than stressing to get is no safety, seal off outside. downfield as quickly as possible Diagram 6
Z Slip Screen Assignments and
Techniques Tailback: (Quick side runningback) Run swing route and block the corner. Fullback: (Strongside runningback) Release and block defender over the slot The X Slip Screen wide receiver. The slip screen to the X is similar to the Quick Tackle: Pass set, inviting the Z slip screen, except that it is run to the defensive end up the field, then seal him off quick side (two receiver side). This type of Each week during the season, we spend from falling back into the play. screen is excellent against teams that play approximately 10 minutes of team practice Quick Guard: Pass set for a two count, man under coverages, as the three defend- time reviewing our screen package vs. the then release to the third linebacker. If third ers covering the strong side receivers are defensive looks we are anticipating. linebacker blitzes, let him go and find the removed from the play. In this scheme, the Because of the simplicity of each play, this next most dangerous defender downfield. interior linemen will count the linebackers is usually enough time to keep us execut- Center: Pass set for a two count, then starting from the quick side. ing at a high level. release to the second linebacker. If second We hope these concepts will be helpful linebacker blitzes, let him go and find the Slip Screen Assignments and to your offensive scheme. Our staff has next most dangerous defender downfield. Techniques learned from so many great coaches who Strong Guard: Pass set for a two Fullback: (Strongside runningback) Re- took the time to help us get where we are count, then release downfield for the first lease and block defender over the strong today by sharing their ideas with us. Best linebacker. If the first linebacker blitzes or is slot wide receiver. wishes for a successful 2000 season. engaged with the tight end or fullback, run Slot: Release downfield to block corner. the alley for the safety. Stay flat on angle, especially vs. a hard or Improve Your Strong Tackle: Pass set, invite the pressed corner. Stalk or cut if appropriate. defensive end up the field and cut him! Quick Tackle: Pass set, invite the Professional Image Tight End:Release and block defender defensive end up the field and cut him! over the slot wide receiver. Quick Guard: Pass set for a two count, Ask your sports informa- Quarterback: After receiving the snap, then release downfield for the first line- tion director to mention your pump fake the screen away from the Z, backer. If the first linebacker blitzes or has then six turn and deliver the slip screen by removed himself from the play by covering membership and invol- leading the Z downfield with your throw. the slot, run the alley for the safety. vement in the American Slot: Release downfield to block corner. Center: Pass set for a two count, then Football Coaches Associa- Stay flat on angle, especially vs. a hard or release to the second linebacker. If second tion in your biographical pressed corner. Stalk or cut if appropriate. linebacker blitzes, let him go and find the sketch in the school’s annual X: If a single wide receiver, get down- next most dangerous defender downfield. field and block deep half or third safety. Strong Guard: Pass set for a two media guide. With a slot wide receiver inside you, fake count, then release to the third linebacker.