Screen Passes The idea behind the screen pass is to make the play look like the pass is going long but to make a short pass to a runner with blocker in front of him.

Screen passes put the defense out of position to make the play. Linebackers blitz or fall back to cover a zone and safeties and corners cover deep.

In our example, the QB drops back and rolls a bit to the right. The linemen on the left side make an initial block and then slide off while the FB protects the QB. The halfback fakes a block and then catches the pass and runs behind his blockers.

Screen passes can go to any of the receivers or running backs.

They are useful in 3rd and long yardage situations or when the offense needs to slow down the pass rush.

Play Action Passes The play action passes looks like a short running play but are actually a mid-range to deep pass.

Our example starts off as a full back lead off right tackle. The QB fakes a hand off to the halfback and conceals the ball. The QB then looks upfield and throws to the open receiver (WR, flanker or TE).

Play action passes are set up by a successful running game. Once again the defense is shown what they expect to see, they react to a running play and are caught out of position for the pass.

Half-back Pass This nasty little trick is a passing play that looks like a run. Our example shows a pitch sweep to the half back headed to right outside. Instead of running around the corner, the halfback pulls up and passes the ball down field to an open receiver- in this the TE running a sideline pattern..