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OffenseTeam Concept

Screen Pass Drill

A screen pass depends on timing between the quarterback, the receiver, and the blockers releasing downfield — this drill walks through that full sequence.

Age RangeAges 9+
Duration10–12 minutes
Group Size5+ players
SportFootball

Equipment Needed

  • One football
  • Cones

Mark the blocking lane

Cones help lay out a clear screen lane so linemen and the ball carrier all know where the play is designed to go.

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Setup

  • Set up a quarterback, a running back or receiver as the screen target, and two blockers.
  • Mark a release lane for the blockers to get ahead of the play.
Screen Pass DrillQBRBscreen targetBBreleaseBlockers delay, then release; QB delivers once they're aheadSoft, catchable pass — accuracy over velocity

Instructions

  1. The quarterback takes a shallow drop while the blockers delay briefly before releasing downfield.
  2. The screen target slips out to the flat, showing patience before turning to face the quarterback.
  3. The quarterback delivers a soft, catchable pass to the target once the blockers are in position ahead.
  4. The receiver catches and follows the blockers upfield.
Coaching Points
  • The blockers' delay is what sells the play as a pass rush look before they release — rushing this timing gives the play away.
  • The screen target's release should look unhurried at first, not sprint immediately into the flat.
  • The pass itself should be low-risk and catchable — accuracy matters more than velocity here.
  • Once the catch is made, following blockers (not just running upfield alone) is what makes the play work.

Variation

Add a pass rush to sell the delayed-release timing realistically, or run it to both sides of the field for balance.

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