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offense / screen
A delayed pass that invites the rush upfield before releasing the back behind a convoy of linemen.
Animated assignment view
The quarterback confirms likely pressure and counts second-level defenders who can retrace into the screen lane.
Ball: center
How it works
The offense initially presents normal dropback protection. After rushers commit, the back slips outside and selected linemen release ahead of him, turning defensive aggression into open-field blocking angles.
Slow an aggressive pass rush and create a low-risk catch with explosive run-after-catch potential.
The offense lets defenders rush toward the quarterback, then tosses the ball behind them to the running back with blockers already moving in front.
Screen timing balances invitation and control: linemen must avoid illegal early release while the quarterback must not retreat beyond a safe throwing platform.
Decision point
After securing the catch, the back reads the first block in space and the angle of pursuit from inside.
Stay behind the widest lead blocker toward the sideline alley.
medium riskPlant behind the inside lead block when defenders race outside.
low riskStay square and accept the available gain when defenders diagnose the screen.
low risk{
"schema": "openplay-football",
"schemaVersion": "0.1",
"id": "halfback-screen",
"slug": "halfback-screen",
"name": "Halfback Screen",
"side": "offense",
"category": "screen",
"personnel": {
"id": "eleven-personnel",
"name": "11 Personnel",
"grouping": "1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR",
"positionCounts": {
"QB": 1,
"RB": 1,
"WR": 3,
"TE": 1,
"OL": 5
}
},
"formation": {
"id": "gun-trips",
"name": "Gun Trips",
"family": "shotgun",
"strength": "right",
"description": "Trips pulls coverage right while the back releases behind linemen to the left."
},
"situationTags": [
"pressure-answer",
"long-yardage",
"open-field"
],
"players": [
{
"id": "qb",
"position": "QB",
"label": "QB",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 26.67,
"y": -5
},
"alignment": "Shotgun",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "quarterback"
},
{
"id": "rb",
"position": "RB",
"label": "RB",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 22,
"y": -6
},
"alignment": "Offset left",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "runningBack"
},
{
"id": "x",
"position": "WR",
"label": "X",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 5,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Wide left",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "receivers"
},
{
"id": "h",
"position": "WR",
"label": "H",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 38,
"y": -2
},
"alignment": "Inside right slot",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "receivers"
},
{
"id": "y",
"position": "TE",
"label": "Y",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 34,
"y": -2
},
"alignment": "Right slot",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "tightEnds"
},
{
"id": "z",
"position": "WR",
"label": "Z",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 49,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Wide right",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "receivers"
},
{
"id": "lt",
"position": "LT",
"label": "LT",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 21,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "passBlocking"
},
{
"id": "lg",
"position": "LG",
"label": "LG",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 24,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "passBlocking"
},
{
"id": "c",
"position": "C",
"label": "C",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 26.67,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "passBlocking"
},
{
"id": "rg",
"position": "RG",
"label": "RG",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 29.4,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "passBlocking"
},
{
"id": "rt",
"position": "RT",
"label": "RT",
"initialCoordinate": {
"x": 32.4,
"y": -1
},
"alignment": "Line",
"side": "offense",
"ratingRole": "passBlocking"
}
],
"preSnap": {
"description": "The quarterback confirms likely pressure and counts second-level defenders who can retrace into the screen lane.",
"shifts": []
},
"assignments": [
{
"id": "rb-screen-release",
"playerId": "rb",
"startsAtMs": 500,
"endsAtMs": 3000,
"type": "check-release",
"check": "Show pass protection briefly, then slip behind the releasing linemen.",
"releasePath": [
{
"type": "curve",
"control": {
"x": 20,
"y": -2
},
"to": {
"x": 14,
"y": 3
}
},
{
"type": "straight",
"to": {
"x": 12,
"y": 12
}
}
]
},
{
"id": "left-guard-screen",
"playerId": "lg",
"startsAtMs": 1200,
"endsAtMs": 3300,
"type": "lead-block",
"path": [
{
"type": "curve",
"control": {
"x": 21,
"y": 0
},
"to": {
"x": 14,
"y": 5
}
}
],
"responsibility": "Release to the alley and block the first inside threat."
},
{
"id": "center-screen",
"playerId": "c",
"startsAtMs": 1300,
"endsAtMs": 3400,
"type": "lead-block",
"path": [
{
"type": "curve",
"control": {
"x": 22,
"y": 1
},
"to": {
"x": 16,
"y": 7
}
}
],
"responsibility": "Lead inside-out on the first pursuit defender."
},
{
"id": "left-tackle-delay",
"playerId": "lt",
"startsAtMs": 500,
"endsAtMs": 1600,
"type": "pass-protection",
"responsibility": "Invite the edge rush upfield before releasing late.",
"technique": "Soft pass set"
},
{
"id": "right-side-sell",
"playerId": "rt",
"startsAtMs": 500,
"endsAtMs": 2600,
"type": "pass-protection",
"responsibility": "Maintain the pass picture and keep backside pursuit away.",
"technique": "Vertical set"
},
{
"id": "x-stalk",
"playerId": "x",
"startsAtMs": 500,
"endsAtMs": 3600,
"type": "run-block",
"responsibility": "Occupy the left corner without revealing the screen early."
}
],
"decisionPoint": {
"id": "navigate-screen-blocks",
"triggerTimeMs": 2250,
"prompt": "How should the back use the screen convoy?",
"explanation": "After securing the catch, the back reads the first block in space and the angle of pursuit from inside.",
"options": [
{
"id": "follow-guard-outside",
"label": "Follow the guard outside",
"description": "Stay behind the widest lead blocker toward the sideline alley.",
"intendedRead": "Inside pursuit is sealed and the corner is occupied.",
"riskLevel": "medium"
},
{
"id": "cut-inside-center",
"label": "Cut inside the center",
"description": "Plant behind the inside lead block when defenders race outside.",
"intendedRead": "Pursuit widens beyond the convoy.",
"riskLevel": "low"
},
{
"id": "get-down-behind-blocks",
"label": "Secure yards behind the convoy",
"description": "Stay square and accept the available gain when defenders diagnose the screen.",
"intendedRead": "Multiple defenders retrace with balanced leverage.",
"riskLevel": "low"
}
]
},
"timeline": [
{
"type": "pre-snap",
"atMs": 0
},
{
"type": "snap",
"atMs": 500
},
{
"type": "assignment-start",
"atMs": 600,
"playerId": "rb"
},
{
"type": "ball-release",
"atMs": 1750,
"targetPlayerId": "rb"
},
{
"type": "decision-pause",
"atMs": 2250,
"decisionPointId": "navigate-screen-blocks"
},
{
"type": "contact",
"atMs": 3600,
"playerIds": [
"rb",
"lg"
]
},
{
"type": "play-end",
"atMs": 4500
}
],
"narrative": {
"summary": "A delayed pass that invites the rush upfield before releasing the back behind a convoy of linemen.",
"fullExplanation": "The offense initially presents normal dropback protection. After rushers commit, the back slips outside and selected linemen release ahead of him, turning defensive aggression into open-field blocking angles.",
"strategicPurpose": "Slow an aggressive pass rush and create a low-risk catch with explosive run-after-catch potential.",
"idealSituations": [
"Second and long",
"Against blitz pressure",
"When edge rushers attack upfield"
],
"strengths": [
"Uses pressure against the defense",
"Creates blockers in space",
"High completion probability"
],
"weaknesses": [
"Alert linebackers can retrace",
"Early penetration can disrupt timing",
"Poor spacing crowds the convoy"
],
"keyRead": "The quarterback must feel whether rushers have committed before lofting the ball over them; the back then reads the lead blocks.",
"watchFor": [
"Linemen delaying their release",
"Rush defenders passing the back",
"The convoy forming outside"
],
"beginnerExplanation": "The offense lets defenders rush toward the quarterback, then tosses the ball behind them to the running back with blockers already moving in front.",
"advancedNote": "Screen timing balances invitation and control: linemen must avoid illegal early release while the quarterback must not retreat beyond a safe throwing platform."
},
"simulation": {
"difficulty": "intermediate",
"conceptTags": [
"screen",
"halfback-screen",
"pressure-answer"
],
"baseSuccessRate": 0.6,
"yardRange": {
"min": -8,
"max": 45
},
"turnoverRisk": 0.018
}
}