Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Pistol Doubles sends four vertical releases upfield from the two receivers on each side to hold the second and third level defenders while the offensive line sets up a screen wall in front of the quarterback. The HB slips out to the flat behind the line, and the QB delivers a quick throw off a one man read to the back once the blocking wall forms. This is a screen play designed to beat pressure and aggressive man coverage, since blitzing defenders and man corners running with the four vertical routes create natural running lanes for the HB.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing blitz or has linebackers creeping toward the line, since aggressive pressure is exactly what this screen is built to punish. Watch for man coverage indicators like corners lined up tight on receivers, this pulls defenders away from the box and opens the screen lane. Post-snap, the biggest threat to this play is a linebacker or safety with eyes on the backfield who sits in a shallow zone drop and reads the QB's eyes to the HB. A defensive lineman who spies or stunts inside instead of rushing hard can blow up the screen before the wall sets, so look for defensive tackles that do not sell the pass rush. Zone coverage shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 with disciplined underneath defenders shut this down quickly, since those defenders can react to the screen action and close space before blockers get set.
Usage Tips
Call this against pressure heavy defenses, especially when you see safeties creeping down or extra rushers showing at the line pre-snap.
Use it as a changeup after running Four Verticals or PA Post Shot from the same Doubles set, since the initial vertical stems look identical and freeze linebackers.
Let the blocking wall fully develop before throwing, do not rush the release even if the HB looks open early, timing is everything on this screen.
Best on early downs or in obvious passing situations where the defense is selling out with a nano blitz or overload pressure look.
Avoid calling this into zone heavy defenses with disciplined linebackers who sit and read, since zone defenders can sniff out the screen and blow it up for a loss.
