Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Pistol Ace Slot shows three receivers pushing vertical stems downfield to hold linebackers and safeties deep while the offensive line sets up a screen wall to the flat. The HB releases out of the backfield in delayed fashion, sliding to the right sideline behind the developing wall as linemen climb outside to block. This is a screen play designed to bait an aggressive pass rush and beat man pressure or blitz packages, with the primary read being the HB in the flat as soon as he clears the line of scrimmage.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defenses bringing five or six man pressure, this screen thrives against overloaded blitz packages that leave few defenders to react to the flat. If the defense shows a two high safety shell with linebackers sitting in zone drops rather than blitzing, the screen loses value since defenders can read and rally. Key the defensive ends and outside linebackers, if they are crashing hard upfield off the snap the screen has a lane, but if they stay disciplined and box the play it dies quickly. User-controlled defenders spying the backfield or sitting in a lurk position near the flat are the biggest threat, since they can jump the throw before the wall forms. Cornerbacks playing off coverage on the outside receivers is a good pre-snap indicator the defense is in zone and may be susceptible to the vertical stems opening up space for the screen to develop.
Usage Tips
Call this against defenses showing pressure pre-snap, especially when you see extra rushers walked up at the line or a Mike linebacker cheating toward the box.
Let your linemen get out and set the wall before throwing, do not rush the release or you will throw into your own blockers.
Use the vertical routes as window dressing, they are not the actual progression, so resist the urge to look at them even against zone drops.
Sequence this after HB Dive or HB Power O to sell run action and get linebackers flowing downhill before you flip to the screen.
Best called on early downs or in obvious blitz-down situations like 3rd and short, since disciplined defenses in zone drop coverage can rally fast and blow this up for a loss.
