What it is

A screen pass is a short throw to a receiver or running back behind the line of scrimmage, with blockers waiting ahead of him.

In a game

The offense lets the pass rushers come in and then throws over their heads. It works best against an aggressive pass rush or a blitz.

More detail

Screens come in several types: a running back screen, a receiver screen to the outside and a tunnel screen, where blockers form a lane. The quarterback must sell the idea that it is a deep pass first. The play can gain big yardage, but if the defense reads it, the loss can be several yards.

Animated diagram

1. The quarterback drops back as if he will throw deep, and the linemen let the rushers go by.
2. The running back slips to the side while the guard and the center run out in front of him as blockers.
3. The quarterback lobs the ball over the rushers, and the back runs behind his blockers.