How do you run a screen pass in American football?

Answer 1

After the ball is snapped (hiked), a running back will slip out of the backfield (he may throw a quick block to fake the rushers) to a spot still behind the line of scrimmage. 2-or 3 lineman will throw a quick block & then release their man (they are blocking) & slide out to an area still behind the line of scrimmage but in front of the running back. The quarterback drops back (all of this happens simultaneously) & tosses a short pass to the running back (who yells to the lineman that he now has the ball with some sort of signal, ie; "GO") who then follows the lineman down the field. The lineman must not go downfield until they hear the signal or they will be hit with a penalty for ineligible man down field.