Quick Screen Breakdown with Cut Ups (8U-High School)

Whether you run AirRaid, Wing T, Triple Option or Run and Shoot, Quick Screens need to be a huge part of your game plan. A wise man once told me, "if you finish a game and you feel like you didn't run enough Quick Screens, then you probably are right." These plays should be considered another version of sweep in your #playbook and be utilized as such throughout the game. The Quick Screen may be the best representation of the core mission of the Air Raid... getting your best athletes the ball in space.

We have two (2) types of Quick Screens we love. The traditional Bubble Screen (Larry/Roger), which we teach as a Pedal Screen, as well as a Quick Running Back Screen (Salt/Pepper).

These Quick Screens were utilized by all 4 levels of our youth program (8U, 10U, 12U, 14U), as well as our High School squad at a very high rate.

Bubble/Pedal Screen (Larry/Roger)

Formations
  • Ace/Open (2x2), Late/Early (3x1), Blue/Green (2 Back), Star/Lazer (Empty)

Concept Routes

Open/Ace (2x2)

  • Inside & Outside Receivers: Mirrored Bubble/Petal Screen concept on both sides
  • RB (F) & #OLine will run GT Counter toward the direction of the screen
    • Note: RB responsibility to flip pre-snap to appropriate side of QB once the Larry or Roger call has been made.

Late/Early (3x1)
  • Concept side #OutsideReceiver & Y receiver will block most dangerous
  • H will run Bubble/Pedal screen, gaining width ready to explode upfield (one cut and go)
  • RB (F) & O-Line will run GT Counter toward the direction of the screen

Lazer/Star (3x2)
  • Three (3) receiver side Outside Receiver & Y receiver will block most dangerous
  • H will run Bubble/Pedal screen, gaining width ready to explode upfield (one cut and go)
  • Two (2) receiver side will also run Larry or Roger action
  • F will run Bubble/Pedal screen, gaining width ready to explode upfield (one cut and go)
  • O-Line will run GT Counter toward the direction of the screen (QB Counter is nasty)

Early Roger Fox
  • Concept side OutsideReceiver & Y receiver will block most dangerous
  • H will run Bubble/Petal screen, action
  • R will run Now Screen action
  • Y runs down the LOS, just before engaging the CB, burst vertical

Quick Screen General Coaching Points
  • We install Larry/Roger and GT Counter together, teaching the QB to count the numbers on the perimeter, then call the play appropriately.
  • If we have more receivers blocking than defenders, the the QB call the quick screen to that side, RB flips to the opposite side and we run Larry or Roger.
  • If the defense has equal or more defenders that we have receivers, the QB calls the quick screen to that side, and while the RB flips to the opposite side he and the QB communicate quickly they are handing the ball off and then we run GT Counter.
  • There are circumstances throughout the season where the coaches want them to run Larry/Roger or GT Counter regardless of the defense. In that scenario we just call have a lock call to ensure the QB knows just to run it without the pre-snap count.
  • WR Blocking can not be stressed enough for this to work optimally. We run WR Blocking Drills that mirror this action as the angles and speed of how quickly this play happens can't be replicated with Stalk Blocking drills.
Case Study Larry/Roger
  • Formation: Late (3x1)
  • Field Position: -40 yard line
  • Down & Distance: 1st & 10
  • Defense: Cover 3

Pre-snap Process

  • Scan defense to count of our WR numbers vs their perimeter defenders (Safety's at 7+ yards or more depth do not factor into the count)
  • If the QB sees have more receivers than defenders, the QB will snap the ball and get it out to the screen runner with ugency.
  • If the defense has equal or more defenders that we have receivers, the QB turns to RB, giving him a "You.You." call, insuring the RB knows he is getting the ball for GT Counter.
Post-snap Progression:
  • If the QB has called Larry/Roger, the QB snaps the ball, takes a zero (0) step drop and gets the ball out to the screen runner with high urgency.
    • Note: QB needs to get comfortable with this urgent zero step, no laces throw so you will need to rep this to death. See screen game practice drill video.
  • If call is to run GT Counter due to the numbers, QB simply hands the ball off to the RB, then continue read action fake to keep backside DE honest.
RB Quick Screen (Salt/Pepper)

Formations
  • Ace/Open (2x2), Late/Early (3x1), Blue/Green (2 Back), Star/Lazer (Empty)

  • Late/Early (3x1)
  • All Receivers: Block most dangerous
  • RB (F) will typically be put in Orbit or Push Motion pre-snap to get leverage on the box but it is not mandatory
Lazer/Star (3x2)
  • All Receivers: Block most dangerous
  • Screen player (H, F, R) will typically be put in Orbit or Push Motion pre-snap to get leverage on the box

Coaching Points
  • This is a great Red Zone & Green Zone (10 yard line and in) play. It is extremely hard to stop a strong RB or WR with a full head of steam. Ball placement is extremely important so screen runner doesn't have to break stride and momentum.
  • After you have run this a few times in a game or in a season, you can run a ton of various plays off of this action.
    • Counter the opposite way (RB or QB)
    • Backside WR isolation routes
Case Study Salt/Pepper
  • Formation: Star (3x2) Pepper
  • Call: Star F-Orbit Pepper
  • Field Position: 10 yard line (green zone)
  • Down & Distance: 2nd & Goal
  • Defense: Cover 1

Pre-snap Process
  • Scan defense to count our WR numbers vs their perimeter defenders (Safety's at 7+ yards or more depth do not factor into the count).
Post-snap Progression:
  • QB puts the screen runner in motion, snaps the ball and hits the screen runner out in front, heading downhill with a full head of steam. 

Quick Screen Video Breakdown with Cut Ups (8U-High School)

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