The Vikings' Screen Game

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n behalf of Western Washington University, I would like to thank the Summer Manual Committee and the AFCA for the opportunity to contribute to this year’s Summer Manual. Western Washington made the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II prior to the 1998 season. After a first year record of 5-5, the Vikings have finished 8-3, 7-3 and 8-3 the past three seasons, won three consecutive conference championships, and has participated in the Division II national playoffs. Many factors have contributed to this success, but the most important of these is the overall commitment of a special group of players, and the tremendous dedication of an outstanding group of loyal and hard working assistant coaches. The screen package that we have developed and utilize at Western meshes perfectly with our overall offensive philosophy. In this package, we strive to maximize the physical talents of our players by utilizing multiple formations, personnel groups, and motions, with the primary goal to get the ball into the hands of our playmakers in a high percentage, low risk manner. Our screens can be called either from the huddle or as an “advantage check” at the line of scrimmage when our quarterback recognizes a vulnerable defensive alignment. We have four primary screens that we run: 1. The traditional Screen Right, Screen Left perimeter screen to the runningback. 2. The Quick Screen to either a single outside receiver or slot receiver. 3. The Double Screen with a two option read for the quarterback. 4. The Bubble Screen to an inside receiver. In all cases, these screens are as much a part of our run game as they are our pass game. The reason for this is that we treat our screens as “extended handoffs,” where the success of the play depends first, on the blocking that takes place after the ball has been received, and second, the “YAC” (yards after catch) that the ball carrier can produce. Our production goal from our screen game is a plus 85 percent completion rate with an average gain greater than seven yards per play. For the 2001 season, our production was as follows: Screen Runningback Quick Double

Cmp-Att. 25-29 20-23 12-16

Pct. 86.2% 86.9% 75.0%

YPC 13.8 15.7 8.2

Bubble Totals

18-19 75-87

94.7% 86.2%

6.2 10.9

Runningback Perimeter Screen The first screen (Diagram 1) is the traditional screen to the running back off of a straight drop by the quarterback and a two count release by the linemen and back. This screen incorporates a “crack” block by a designated receiver on an inside linebacker and is effective versus both zone drops and pressure man defense.

The Vikings’ Screen Game: High Percentage — Low Risk

Diagram 1

Assignments Playside Tackle: Block dropback protection rules inviting the defensive end wide and upfield. Engage off of two count to keep defenders hands down and out of play. Playside Guard: Block dropback protection rules for two count. Release flat down line of scrimmage blocking the first off color jersey. Center: Block dropback protection rules for two count. Release behind pulling guard gaining depth looking for first off color jersey. Backside Guard: Block dropback protection rules for two count. Release flat down the line of scrimmage looking back for chase defenders. “Crack” Receiver: One step release, then flat down line of scrimmage towards ball. Crack block first linebacker in box. Block must be above waist. Runningback: Set for dropback protection, do not release until guard releases. Release under the block on the defensive end. Upon receiving ball, immediately pick up block of guard on perimeter defender. Quarterback: Normal five-step drop using eyes and body position to hold defenders. Settle on fifth step, then execute screen technique making certain to make eye contact with back before releasing ball. Don’t soft toss ball. Get ball to runningback sharply so that he may get his eyes focused upfield. Versus Blitz Situation: Against playside blitz, runningback will give a “Go-Go-

• AFCA Summer Manual — 2002 •

Rob Smith Head Coach Western Washington University Bellingham, Wash.

Go” call which immediately releases all blockers. Quarterback in hard, fast drop with no settle. “Crack” receiver must be flat down line of scrimmage and pick out linebacker who has runningback in coverage. This is a big play opportunity and proper execution is a must. This screen has been most productive to the single receiver side, but is also run to multiple receiver sides, both to and away from receiver motion, and to a tight end side as well. Wide Receiver Quick Screen We feel this screen is one of the most difficult plays we have in our offense for the defense to defend. We also like it because it compliments our zone run game so effectively, and the advantage we gain by having this as a check option for our quarterback when the defensive alignment dictates. As with the runningback screen, the quick screen is run from a variety of formations, but is always run to the weak or quick side, opposite the tight end. Motions are effective with this play to draw attention away from the screen side as shown in Diagram 2. The timing of the offensive linemen on their steps and release is critical to the success of the play, and needs to be as synchronized as possible.

o’clock with quick jab fake on second step. Pivot off of third step and complete throw from a retreat position. Important to gain as much depth as possible off of these three steps to allow for proper throwing lane away from defensive end (Throw to right). Open at seven o’clock with quick jab fake on second step. Gain depth and plant on fourth step for throw. Runningback: Tighten zone path slightly. Must make exaggerated fake to influence linebackers. Receiver: Reduce split if necessary to 12 yards from tackle. Three quick upfield release steps, push back to line of scrimmage and slightly towards ball. The tighter the coverage, the more aggressively the receiver must work back towards throw. Work underneath block of tackle, then immediately upfield picking up blocks of other linemen. This screen is also effective when the throw is to a slot receiver as shown in Diagram 3. An advantage can be gained with this as the throw is quicker and the blocking angle of the tackle often is more an up field block with a possible two-way go for the receiver.

Diagram 3

Diagram 2

Assignments Playside Tackle: He has the key block in the play. Three quick zone steps, then flat down line of scrimmage looking to block defender over intended receiver. Key is to stay flat, as this block will most likely take place on or near the line of scrimmage. This block “springs” the receiver. Playside Guard: Block zone strong for three quick steps, release flat then up looking for first linebacker. Center: Block zone strong for three quick steps, release flat then up looking for first off colored jersey. Backside Guard and Tackle: Block zone strong for quick three steps release up and cross field blocking most dangerous. Quarterback: (Throw to left) Open at 5

Double Screen As shown in Diagram 4, this screen provides the quarterback with two options. A swing screen to the runningback to the strong side of the formation, and a middle screen to the outside receiver to the backside of the formation. It is run primarily from a doubles formation and with a right handed quarterback it is run only from a strong right set.

Diagram 4

• AFCA Summer Manual — 2002 •

Assignments Tight End: Responsible for first linebacker to the inside. Strong Tackle: Quick pass set, release under rush of the defensive end looking to establish outside blocking position on the outside linebacker or strong safety. Cut block can be very effective here. Strong Guard: Block dropback protection rules for two count release. Center: Block dropback protection rules for two count. Release flat then up to weakside looking for first linebacker to the outside. Quick Guard: Block dropback protection rules for two count. Release flat down the line of scrimmage looking for first off color jersey. Quick Tackle: Block dropback protection rules inviting the defensive end wide and upfield. Engage off of two count to keep defenders hands down and out of play. Runningback: Align with toes at seven yards from the line of scrimmage. Aggressive swing route directly parallel to the line of scrimmage (do not give ground). Receive ball from the quarterback and pick up block of tackle. Flanker (Z): Responsible for man over. Run off vs. press coverage or aggressive stalk block vs. loose coverage. Slot Receiver: Responsible for corner over split end (X). Release depends on corner depth. The deeper the corner’s alignment, the more upfield the release can be. Versus press coverage, release must be aggressive and immediately at the corner. Can use a cut block in this instance. Split End (X): Quick three-step release, drive back under line of scrimmage and towards the ball. Look to receive ball and pick up blocks of quick guard then center. Quarterback: Speed drop with eyes focused on the strongside rush end. First option is the swing screen to the runningback. If the defensive end does anything but spy pickup the running back, throw the swing screen. This decision must be made by the third step of the drop. Throw should be slightly forward allowing the running back to receive the ball over his outside shoulder while moving towards the line of scrimmage. If the defensive end picks up the runningback, pivot back making eye contact with split end and throw middle screen to X. As shown in Diagram 5, we can add motion and a “crack” term to the play call

and this results in an exchange of assignments between the flanker and the strong tackle. In this case, the path of the tackle needs to be flat making sure he establishes the proper blocking relationship on the corner.

Diagram 6

Diagram 5

“Bubble” Screen One of our more effective and simplest screens within our system is our “Bubble”

Screen shown in Diagram 6. The basic premise behind the spread offense that we run is that we must force the defense to physically cover our slot receivers by moving or “bumping” linebackers outside the tackle box. The Bubble Screen allows us to take advantage of a linebacker where he doesn’t “bump” completely out of the box, thus leaving a slot receiver partially or completely uncovered.

The key to the play is the block of the end lineman to the side of the throw successfully keeping the hands of the end defender down, as the throw of the quarterback is directly down the line of scrimmage. A cut block or aggressive drive block is utilized for this. The receiver takes an insidefoot up stance, pushes and drives off that inside foot directly away from the quarterback. The speed of this release is important as a “runaway” situation exists with the unblocked linebacker. The key blocks are then made by the outside receiver or receivers on the perimeter defenders. In closing, it has been a privilege for Western Washington University to contribute to this year’s Summer Manual. Please feel free to contact our staff if we can be of assistance in any way.

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• AFCA Summer Manual — 2002 •