In youth football, the passing game needs to be executable and easy to read. One play that fits that description is the Smoke screen play.

The Smoke screen is a very safe play to a wideout or flanker. For alignment, the receiver needs to be at least 10 yards away from the next inside offensive player to create space.

The pattern starts with the outside foot back. The receiver takes one aggressive step forward before pivoting on that outside foot. Then the receiver takes two rapid steps to the inside with the receiver's face and body facing inside toward the quarterback. The hands should be up in a triangle giving the quarterback a big target.

The quarterback takes the snap and doesn’t worry about getting a perfect grip on the throw. Once the quarterback receives the snap, they drop the near foot back and lead through with the back foot. It has to be a very quick throw with velocity.

SEE ALSO: Breaking down the fake punt play in youth football

The pre-snap read in youth football for this play is the depth of the defensive back. If the defensive back if further than 7 yards away, the play can be executed with a reasonable degree of certainty.

The next inside player--which can be a slot, tight end or even tackle--has the responsibility of blocking the defender over the intended receiver. Note that the path the blocker needs to take is where the defender will be when the blocker arrives, not the area the defender is aligned. The defender is going to react to the play, so the blocker's path to him has to be just past the line of scrimmage.

This play is probably run most effectively out of the shotgun because if you are under center and the pass is incomplete, it could be a backward pass and a fumble.

This play helps you make the defense defend the entire field. Like anything else, it must be practiced and should be a part of your regular offense. One trick pony formations are an invitation to disaster.

Additionally, you can utilize this play as a series, by simply having the inside receiver run his normal path as a “blocker” but run by the defender on a wheel route. That play is called Smoke and Go and can be very effective if you see the defense overplaying the Smoke pass. If you see the defense crowding the line of scrimmage looking for the Smoke screen, you can always just run a simple go route to the wideout as well.

This series of three plays is a great little package to put into your playbook quiver for players as young as 8.

MORE: 10 things all youth football coaches need in their football bag

Dave Cisar is a five-time Nike Coach of the Year Designate and in 2016 was named by Hudl as the No. 4 influencer in the game. He has spoken at over 230 youth football coaching clinics nationwide. His book and DVDs have helped and inspired thousands of youth coaches nationwide and can be seen at http://winningyouthfootball.com.