Playbooks

HB Slip Screen

Pistol·Open Flex·11

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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationPistol

SetOpen Flex

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense FourminutedrillOffense

Breakdown

HB Slip Screen out of Pistol Open Flex is a change of pace screen designed to punish aggressive pass rushes and overcommitted man coverage. The offensive line sets up a hard pass pro look before releasing to seal the perimeter, while the HB slips out of the backfield to the flat as the lone target. This is a screen play, not a man or zone beater in the traditional route sense, since its success depends on rush timing rather than coverage shell. The primary read is simple: check the HB in the flat immediately after the fake pass set, then trust your blockers to open a running lane.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing blitz or overload pressure looks, since these are the exact fronts this screen is built to exploit. Watch for a defensive end or edge rusher who consistently crashes hard upfield instead of maintaining contain, as this is the lane the HB will exploit. Post-snap, user a linebacker or safety with strong screen recognition to sit and read the tackle release, then attack the HB before blockers get set. Zone defenses with disciplined contain from EDGE defenders and linebackers who scrape flat to the sideline shut this down quickly. Watch out for a defensive tackle who reads screen and knifes inside, since that can blow up the play before the HB secures the catch.

Usage Tips

Call this against defenses that show pressure pre-snap, especially when you see extra rushers on the edge or a Mug look at the line of scrimmage.

Use it on early downs or after a hard inside run like HB Dive or Inside Zone Split to slow down aggressive defensive linemen who are keying run fits.

Snap the ball and let the animation play out fully before manually taking control of a lead blocker to seal the alley defender.

Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses that hold contain, since screens die quickly when defensive ends and outside linebackers stay home.

Pair this play in a sequence with PA Boot or PA Boot Rt to condition the defense to bite on backfield action, making the slip screen even more effective on a later snap.

Save this for third and short or second and manageable situations where a busted contain rusher or blown coverage assignment can turn into a explosive gain.