Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Pistol Spread 10 personnel shows three vertical clear-out routes from the outside receivers and slot to occupy the deep defenders while the offensive line initially sets up a pass-pocket look before releasing to lead block downfield. The HB slips out of the backfield to the flat, catching a quick shovel-style pass behind the rushing defensive line as blockers get out in front. This is a classic screen play designed to bait aggressive man and blitz-heavy defenses, with the primary read being an automatic and immediate throw to the HB in the flat once the pass rush commits upfield.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with deep safeties, since those shells with disciplined linebackers can rally to the flat and limit the play to a short gain. Watch for user-controlled defenders spying the backfield or sitting in a shallow zone near the line of scrimmage, as they can jump the shovel pass throw lane. Key the defensive line, if they are told to contain or spy rather than rush upfield, the screen blockers will not have room to develop and the play will be stuffed near the backfield. Man coverage with aggressive press corners and blitzing linebackers is the biggest vulnerability, since those defenders flow away from the backfield and cannot recover to the flat in time. Look for a linebacker or slot defender staying home on early downs, this is a common defensive answer that can blow up the timing of the slip screen if the offense does not disguise its intent.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see man coverage or overload blitzes shown pre-snap, since the verticals will pull corners and safeties away from the shallow flat area.
Watch the defensive line alignment before the snap. If you see a wide four man rush or edge blitzers crashing hard up the field, this screen has a huge alley to develop.
Use this after establishing HB Dive or HB Slam a few times to slow down linebacker run fits, since defenders sitting on inside runs will overpursue and open up the screen lane.
Pair this in a sequence with Four Verticals and PA Deep In from the same formation so the defense respects the pass and commits extra rushers, making the screen more effective as a change of pace.
Avoid calling this against zone-heavy or spy-heavy defenses that keep linebackers home, since sitting defenders can read the shovel pass and blow it up before blockers get set.
