What are an offensive lineman's duties on a screen pass? Basically the offensive linemen's job on a screen pass is to fake a pass protection... When run properly, a screen pass can be one of the more effective...
When run properly, a screen pass can be one of the more effective plays in football. By using a defensive team's aggressiveness against them, the offense can exploit them for big yards.
Screen passes are defined as a forward pass in which the defensive linemen are allowed to get through the offensive line. While the defensive linemen are rushing up field, two of the offensive lineman dump out to a predetermined side and turn and block upfield. The running back takes a short pass from the quarterback and hopefully has a convoy of blockers down the sideline.
Screen passes are defined as a forward pass in which the defensive linemen are allowed to get through the offensive line. While the defensive linemen are rushing up field, two of the offensive lineman dump out to a predetermined side and turn and block upfield. The running back takes a short pass from the quarterback and hopefully has a convoy of blockers down the sideline.
Current Lehigh University offensive line coach John Powers knows exactly what offensive lineman should be doing during a screen pass.
"Basically the offensive linemen's job on a screen pass is to fake a pass protection and release to the second level and cover up defenders on the second level," he said. "This will let the defensive linemen rush to the quarterback thinking that they have a clear shot. Then the back will fake a pass protection and turn to wait on the short pass from the quarterback."
A lot harder to run because of the incredible amount of timing it takes to pull one off, everyone has specific jobs to perform, none more important than the offensive linemen.
Screen passes are usually run against teams with aggressive defenses. Football teams that have defensive lineman who pin their ears back and go no holds barred after the quarterback are perfect screen pass guinea pigs.
The duties of the offensive lineman during the screen pass are what determine if the play will be successful or not.
First, the offensive lineman must give a solid effort at attempting to fool the defensive lineman. With so much advancement in the sport of football these days, defensive linemen have become aware of screen passes and can feel when the rush to the quarterback is too easy. So, in that instance, he may bag back into the throwing lane breaking up the play, or worse, intercepting the little dump off pass.
Another good tip for offensive lineman during screen passes is to make sure the timing is as accurate as possible and hustle.
With them giving the defensive lineman a clear path to the quarterback, the play has to run smoothly or the quarterback could end up taking a big hit.
In addition to running screen passes for running backs, offenses have expanded to run screen passes for tight ends and wide receivers as well. So in those cases, offensive linemen have to make adjustments so that they can get out in good blocking position.
For wide receiver screens, the offensive linemen really have to hustle in order to get out in front to block. Also, when blocking in the open field, offensive linemen are allowed to cut or chop block. But, when blocking at the line of scrimmage, a cut block is illegal and can result in a personal foul.
