ALLEY SCREEN

Rules – Techniques – Coaching Points - Drills

Andrew Coverdale – Head Coach – Castle High School
Shared_responsibility@yahoo.com

Q
MAX
 IMPLEMENTING THE ALLEY SCREEN
Andrew Coverdale – Head Football Coach – Castle High School,
Newburgh, IN
I. Background – Toledo
• Off-season thought process
A. 4 major questions:
Does it fit our philosophy? Does it fit our kids?
Can we coach it and fix the problems? Does it help us beat the key teams on our schedule?
B. Making it fit
1. Situation sheet 2. Needs chart 3. Breakdown grid
4. Pre-season rep allotment 5. Installation calendar 6. Skills sheet
• Pre-season: Teaching & Installing
A. CD Playbook
Philosophy – Instructional – You Draw it - Video
B. Installation day
Walk through – Practice schedule – Installation drill (phases)
• In-season: Putting it to work game week
*The big question: What JOBS do we hav to get done this week,
and how are our Quick Screens going to help us get them done?
WEEKLY IMPROVEMENT – PERSONNEL – SITUATIONS – FORMATIONS
A. Scouting report: Bring focus to the work to be done in practice, present a plan to win!
B .Scout tape: Time efficiency – Coach from ‘remote’ – Reinforce points f/Scout rept
C. Practice rep allotment: Make every rep count, organize thought process
D. Screen weekly practice progression: M time-up / W TTO/Screen period / Th Review / Importance
of W-T!
E. Formation considerations/goals
1. Know who your best screener is! 2. Create lateral movement and/or a false eye fix by the G’s
man!
3. Create a bubble between C’s man and G’s man! 4. Get a hat assigned for rolled down safety support
5. Force their stiffest/slowest guys into space 6. Hold pursuit with run actions off formations
F. Situations *We have used: Base / 2 XL / 3 M
they’ve seen (self-scout) *Should also use: 3 L
Heat / Red Zone / GL (Call sheet)
G. Other preparation devices: Openers reminder sheet / Friday walk-through / QB walk
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Alley Screen Directory
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
OVERVIEW / PHILOSOPHY

Two Three
Receiver Receiver
INSTRUCTIONALINSTRUCTIONAL

VIDEO “FAKE” VIDEO

YOU DRAW IT YOU DRAW IT

ILLUSTRATIONS ILLUSTRATIONS

SCREEN SUMMARY TABLE

INSTALLATION DRILL
Alley Screen Philosophy

ALLEY
Screen Concept
•Alley Screens are the ATTITUDE plays of our screen game! We will
execute the details and MAKE them work no matter what opponents try
to do to us defensively!
•The idea behind all quick screens is to divide the defense with our
blockers, create an ‘Alley’ to run in & attack it with fast guys running into
that space, forcing slower defenders to chase it from inside out!
•Both screens have simple and almost identical rules that allow us to go execute against anything
we see, while at the same time giving us the ability to get any of 5 eligible receivers the ball in
space!
•Alley Screens of all type are excellent ball-control plays against zones, are one of our best tools to
attack blitzes, and are always 1-2 missed tackles away from going the distance!
•We will make these plays a viable threat on any down and distance, on any part of the field,
especially base downs, 2nd and long, and 3rd downs where we expect blitz. Doing so makes our
KEYS to a successful play:
whole passing game better by discouraging pass rush!
•QB gets on his toes, helps screener by throwing him a chin-high
ball INTO the funnel!
•Screener and inside blockers align with correct SPACING!
•Inside blocker charts his course with pre-read and eyes, times CALLS/VARIATIO
his block with the catch, and makes his man run UNDER by
attacking the high shoulder! NS
•Screener uses correct L.O.S. footwork, catches the ball at the •R “Lead”
‘junction point’ at 85% speed, gets into the funnel and finds his •“Cuatro”
cut read off C’s block! •Run action
•FST uses a convincing pass set to create a ‘window.’
•“Mirror”
•C & FSG set correctly to an edge, and run full speed courses
that are led with their EYES!
-•BSG
t o cleans
m a I up
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d I r eDL
c twith
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y - AMBUSHES! - t o I n s t r u c t I o n a l s : Doubles
2 receiver Instructional

TRUST
TEMPO
DISCIPLINE
Two Receiver
PREPARATION
SHARED “ALLEY SCREEN”
RESPONSIBILITY
All other FS receivers/FS TE/Offset H-B: Split 5 yds inside
1 next man out, Inside-out block the first short defender
C outside you. Goal is to time the block so it happens as
C 2 EYES! 3 EYES!
EYES!
screener catches the ball. Push up as much as your
defender’s depth allows, timing the block and softening the
W M S R man over you. Make your defender run under your block!
Lead and adjust with your EYES!

E T T E FST: WINDOW.
WINDOW. Vertical set with 2 kick steps & inside arm
up to bring outside rusher upfield and ‘open a window’ for
QB to throw through. If DE crosses your face, redirect off
outside foot, crush him into pile.
**2-man rule: If you have a 2-man call, set vertically & block
the man that shows in B gap, letting the widest go

FSG: BLOCK #2 FROM SIDELINE.

SIDELINE. Must NOT let a DL play
Club... Drive/Cut man if he crosses/sits down the middle of you on the line. Find #2 pre-snap! Power
step set on the line to your man’s easiest edge, punch the
FS Outside: SCREEN MAN. MAN. Must split 14 yds from OT no seam of his shoulder for 1 count (set opposite most
matter where you are in formation. Initial step v. off CB is 1 dangerous technique w/ one arm extended if uncovered).
giant step with pads forward; v. press CB, use 3 quick steps & Pull FLAT lead & adjust with your eyes, trap the man inside
widen a bit. The tighter the C the wider your upfield angle. out, make him try to run under you.
After initial step(s), come inside behind L.O.S. at 85% speed.
Catch ball and get into the ‘funnel’ created by G’s kickout. Ball CENTER: SEAL #3 FROM SIDELINE.
SIDELINE. Same on the line
should be caught 5-6 yds outside OT. Pick up blocks on LBs in emphasis/technique as the G, pre-snap locate #3, lead &
your vision…trust the funnel! If C seals, get back to sideline adjust with your eyes on the block. If your man widens past
after 1st level…if he benches, slide inside his block! you, engage and ride him by the screen man.
BS Rec: Inside stalk man on. Be alert for ‘Mirror’ call.
R: If the play indicated by the 1st digit involves you carrying BS G: ONE COUNT AMBUSH.
AMBUSH. Inside set as on 90 protection
the ball, carry out that fake Otherwise, block the 1st short for 1 count, then turn and ‘ambush’ anyone that shows in
defender outside you. the throwing/screen lane behind the line of scrimmage.
By game plan, we can have you 1 count seal BSLB.
QB: Straight drop with small steps if no action called, flash ‘Mirror’ call tells you to execute same assignment as FSG!
fake of play indicated if an action is called. Look backside on
initial footwork, then get up on your toes for the throw to the BS T: WINDOW.
WINDOW. Same assignment, rules, and technique as
Screen man, hitting him on the upfield shoulder with a touch FST, but with no ambush duty.
throw, throwing him into ‘the funnel.’ On ‘Mirror,’ can pick a
side based on #s and/or go BS if FS gets spied.
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2 receiver Y.D.I.

Motion Out w/Gun run fk v. Cov 0

To HB mot awy f/Twins v. Cov 1

J
J
R
C M S C W
C S
W C
E T T E R E T N T E

J
R J C
C
C N M C R S M W
Z D
E N E E T T E

Off Jet Fake v. Cov 2 Offset back as #2 v. Cov 3

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2 receiver Illustrations

Motion Out w/Gun run fk v. Cov 0

To HB mot awy f/Twins v. Cov 1

J
3 J 2
2 3 R
C M S C W 1
1 C S
W C
E T T E R E T N T E

3 J
R J 1
C
1 C 2 3
M 2 C W S M R
C N Z D
E N E E T T E

Off Jet Fake v. Cov 2 Offset back as #2 v. Cov 3

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Oxford-Oakland
3 receiverInstructional
Instructional

TRUST
TEMPO
DISCIPLINE
Three Receiver
PREPARATION
SHARED “ALLEY SCREEN”
RESPONSIBILITY
All other FS receivers/FS TE/Offset H-B: Split 5 yds inside
next man out, Inside-out block the first short defender
1 C outside you. Goal is to time the block so it happens as
screener catches the ball. Push up as much as your
defender’s depth allows, timing the block and softening the
C 2 3 EYES! 4 EYES! man over you. Make your defender run under your block!
R W M S Lead and adjust with your EYES!

FST: WINDOW.
WINDOW. Vertical set with 2 kick steps & inside arm
E T T E up to bring outside rusher upfield and ‘open a window’ for
QB to throw through. If DE crosses your face, redirect off
outside foot, crush him into pile.
**2-man rule: If you have a 2-man call, set vertically & block
the man that shows in B gap, letting the widest go

BS G: ONE COUNT AMBUSH.

AMBUSH. Inside set as on 90 protection
for 1 count, then turn and ‘ambush’ anyone that shows in
the throwing/screen lane behind the line of scrimmage.
By game plan, we can have you 1 count seal BSLB.
FS Outs: If not called as the Screen man, INSIDE STALK man on. ‘Mirror’ call tells you to execute same assignment as FSG!
BS T: WINDOW.
WINDOW. Same assignment, rules, and technique as
FS Outs or called: SCREEN MAN. MAN. Must split 14 yds from OT FST, but with no ambush duty.
no matter where you are in formation. Initial step v. off CB is 1
giant step with pads forward; v. press CB, use 3 quick steps & IDENTICAL TO TWO RECEIVER CALL EXCEPT:
widen a bit. The tighter the C the wider your upfield angle. •Any receiver outside the Screener FS must inside stalk!
After initial step(s), come inside behind L.O.S. at 85% speed. •FSG & C change numbering system--FSG kicks #3, C
Catch ball and get into the ‘funnel’ created by G’s kickout. Ball seals #4. Technique is no different!
should be caught 5-6 yds outside OT. Pick up blocks on LBs in
your vision…trust the funnel! If C seals, get back to sideline FSG: BLOCK #3 FROM SIDELINE.
SIDELINE. Must NOT let a DL play
after 1st level…if he benches, slide inside his block! down the middle of you on the line. Find #2 pre-snap! Power
R: If the play indicated by the second digit involves you step set on the line to your man’s easiest edge, punch the
carrying the ball, carry out that fake (e.g., fake “Toss” in “89- seam of his shoulder for 1 count (set opposite most
48.” Otherwise, block the first short defender outside you. dangerous technique w/ one arm extended if uncovered).
QB: Straight drop with small steps if no action called, flash Pull FLAT lead & adjust with your eyes, trap the man inside
fake of play indicated if an action is called. Look backside on out, make him try to run under you.
initial footwork, then get up on your toes for the throw to the CENTER: SEAL #4 FROM SIDELINE.
SIDELINE. Same on the line
Screen man, hitting him on the upfield shoulder with a touch emphasis/technique as the G, pre-snap locate #3, lead &
throw, throwing him into ‘the funnel.’ On ‘Mirror,’ can pick a adjust with your eyes on the block. If your man widens past
side based on #s and/or go BS if FS gets spied. you, engage and ride him by the screen man.
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3 receiver You Draw It

TE Empty v. Cov 0 Offset I - Fake Toss v. Cov 1

J
M S C W S C
C R C
W E T T E R E T N T E

J
R J C
C
C M Z C R W M S
D N
E N E E T T E

Slot Scrn w/ “R Lead” v. Cov 2 To RB in motion v. Cov 3

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3 receiver Illustrations

TE Empty v. Cov 0 Offset I - Fake Toss v. Cov 1

4
J
3 4
J 3 1
1 2 M N C 2 C
S W
C R C
E T T E S E R T N T E

4
3 J 1
R J C
1 2 4
C 3 2
C M Z C R W M S
D N
E N E E T T E

Slot Scrn w/ “R Lead” v. Cov 2 To RB in motion v. Cov 3

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 ALLEY SCREEN INSTALLATION
PHASE I : Air (Two receiver)

OC OL WR
Coach Coach

Ins rec
O Ins rec Ins rec
uts 6 yd
rec Ins rec O
uts
rec
9 yd

14 yd
QB
Coach

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 ALLEY SCREEN INSTALLATION
PHASE II : Bags (Two receiver)

B B B
B B B
OC A OL A A WR
A A A
G Coach G G Coach
G G G

Ins rec
O Ins rec Ins rec
uts 6 yd
rec Ins rec O
uts
rec
9 yd
•Work from hashmarks
14 yd •Add DL to ‘Ambush’
QB
Coach •Change CB depth/tech
Direct bags •Roll safeties down as
- C L I C K H E R E T O R E T U R N T O D I R E C T O #2/3/4
R Y -