Screen & Go

Incarnate Word's Record-Setting Offense

I am beyond excited to announce the first speaker at The Play Caller’s Club Clinic in Houston, TX. It is the current Offensive Coordinator at Texas State Mack Leftwich. Mack just wrapped up a historic season at Incarnate Word an up and coming FCS Program in San Antonio, TX.

This offense averaged a staggering 51.5 points per game led by the Walter Payton Award Winner (FCS Heisman) in QB Lindsey Scott Jr. He threw for 4686yds & 60 TD’s.

When you turn on the film you see that the QB is given a lot of autonomy and responsibility in the offense. It’s a QB friendly offense with a lot of freedom to get the best look.

Incarnate Word ran an offense that invited the defense to cheat and punished them for cheating. They have their staple plays, but they always forced the defense to defend both the frontside and the backside of each concept.

Motion to Trips Lt GT Counter Slot Tunnel

This is a great example - they run GT Counter into the Boundary with a Slot Tunnel Screen back to the field. If the defense cheats to GT Counter they’re light against the Screen, if they take away the Screen they’re light against the Boundary Counter. It’s a nice design and a decent gain, but more than anything it forces the defense to stay disciplined sideline to sideline.

Dbl Stack GT Counter Key Screen

The very next play is GT Counter with a Stack Key Screen into the Boundary. These Key Screens are a part of the Run Game. If the QB feels like he has the leverage, he has the freedom to get the ball on the edge. It’s not a groundbreaking play, but mixed with tempo it forces those Boundary defenders to close quickly to the Screen to prevent and explosive play.

Dbl Stack Key Screen & Go

This is the perfect example of an offense inviting you to cheat and punishing you for cheating. Incarnate Word has played with Tempo and thrown several Boundary Key Screens. The CB plays aggressively which leaves him susceptible to Screen & Go. The design is beautiful. The Stalk & Go runs the bender to pull the safety while Screen WR gets vertical late past the CB.

Stack Rt Trips Insert Iso Pop Pass

When Incarnate Word got in 11 Personnel they ran quite a bit of Split Zone, Capped Zone, Counter and Insert Iso. After meeting the LB in the B-Gap throughout the game, the H-Back is able to slip past the Mike for a Pop Pass in the high Red Zone. Invite you to cheat, make you pay.

Motion to Trips Rt Shallow Cross Dagger

Incarnate Word got the ball out quick early in the game, but as the Secondary loosens they have great concepts to attack in the intermediate passing game. This is a Concept I love. Motion to Wheel, Shallow Cross with a Dagger from #1. Great way to attack the Middle of the Field.

Invite the defense to cheat and punish them for cheating.

I’m excited to have Mack Leftwich present and spend some time with a great group of Offensive Play Caller’s in February!

Formation into the Boundary - Screen & Go

For most Offensive Coordinators, fast screens are an extension of the run game - so the equivalent of Play Action is Screen & Go. We’ve seen the effectiveness of Now Screens into the Boundary. The short distance of the throw allows the receiver to press the point before the support defenders are able to flow to the football. But, if Boundary Screens become part of your offensive identity, the defense will adjust and fit them faster. This can be countered with Screen & Go. 

  • Tempo/Fastball

    • This play was normally called in the 2nd or 3rd quarter after several Tempo FIB Now Screens. Call it quickly after a run play to catch the defense with vertical routes as they adjust.

2014 Baylor - FIB Trips Lt. Fake Now Screen & Go (Glance:Wheel).png

On the snap, the QB pumps the Now Screen and resets in the pocket. Think of the pump fake as a play action fake. The Slot Receivers will Switch before 5 yards - it will look like Now Screen cross blocking. While #2 inside releases the Overhang for a Read Seam, #3 attacks the CB for a Stalk & Go Wheel. The primary read is the Seam which bends if the Safety stays on top. The Wheel can come open vs. an aggressive screen support CB or if you get man coverage.