WE LIKE TO USE the split screen a couple times in each game, depending on the opponent. It’s excellent for a 2-minute offense when your team needs to move the ball quickly.
It’s a very safe screen and is easy to teach, but it’s also difficult for opposing defenses to read and keeps them from knowing which way the screen is going.
It can be a good addition to your offense and will allow for some complementary plays that can attack the middle with the defense splitting.
Why It’s Effective
The way the split screen will go is determined before the snap. If you have a young quarterback, it’s a play that’s easy to read and the dump pass is a safe pass that’s not thrown in the middle of congestion.
It’s great to use against an aggressive defense because if the linebackers or safety bite on the QB fake, then you have a chance for a huge gain.
Make sure that you run this screen with your other formations. We’ve found that motion works well with this screen because it gets the defense reading one more thing and can catch them off guard when they are shifting to the motion or picking up their responsibilities.
DIAGRAM 1: Split Screen.
PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Outside Receiver: 8- to 10-yard post pattern.
Inside Receiver: 8- to 10-yard flag pattern.
Backside Receiver: 10-yard post pattern.
Tight End: Blocks for one count, then releases to run his pattern.
Quarterback: Counts defenders on each side of center and taps the center to let him know which way the screen is going. Drops 3 steps, throws a pump fake opposite of screen, retreats and dumps the pass off.
Fullback: Steps right to block for two counts then releases for dump pass.
I-Back: Steps left to block for two counts, then releases for dump pass.
Offensive Line: Blocks man-on, if uncovered reads the LB and helps out. Blocks for two counts then releases. Offensive tackle releases to block the force man and the offensive guard releases for the LB. The center releases to the first defender that shows.