Playbooks

HB Slip Screen

Pistol·Bunch·11

Screen Pass Hb Screen Pass Play

Play diagram for HB Slip Screen from Pistol Bunch in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationPistol

SetBunch

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 6 playbooks

Balanced OffenseOffense Balanced Run OffenseOffense Franchise Offense BackerattackerOffense Sim Explosivestress Ba OffenseOffense Sim Explosivestress Ph OffenseOffense Sim Explosivestress Rn OffenseOffense

Breakdown

HB Slip Screen out of Pistol Bunch is a designed screen pass that gets the running back leaking out to the flat while the offensive line and bunch receivers sell drop back pass before releasing downfield to set up blocks. The three bunch receivers push vertically upfield (with one working an over route across the field) to clear out underneath defenders and occupy linebackers and DBs, while the HB slides out to the boundary side away from the bunch to catch the swing pass in space. This is a screen play built to beat aggressive man pressure and blitz-heavy zone looks, with the primary read being the HB in the flat as soon as the ball is snapped.

Defensive Reads

Diagnose blitz pre-snap by checking linebacker depth and edge alignment, since screens like this thrive when the defense sends extra rushers. Post-snap, if you are the user defender, immediately look to the flat where the HB releases rather than following the vertical releases from the bunch. Spy or lurk with a linebacker in the screen area to jump the throwing lane before blockers arrive. Watch for defensive tackles or ends with screen recognition ratings that let them sit and read instead of crashing upfield. Against man coverage, defenders manned up on the bunch receivers who stay disciplined and do not bite on the vertical releases can help rally quickly to the HB in space.

Usage Tips

Call this against defenses showing blitz or heavy man pressure since the rushers will fly upfield and take themselves out of the screen lane.

Hold the ball for a full one count after the snap to let your linemen release and get out in front of the HB before you throw.

Use the bunch formation's clustered alignment to disguise this as a standard dropback pass, then let the vertical releases from the bunch receivers pull second level defenders away from the screen.

Pair this with Mesh or PA Cross from the same set so defenses cannot key on formation tendencies and start jumping the screen.

Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses that sit their linebackers underneath, since spy defenders and quick-flowing zone can blow this up before blockers get set.