Playbooks
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Pistol Strong Y Off Close is a designed screen pass that slips the running back out to the flat while the offensive line sells pass protection before releasing to lead block downfield. The diagram shows the outside receivers running vertical clear out routes to pull coverage away, the TE running a corner breaking route, and one receiver working a shallow drag underneath, all designed to create space for the HB as he leaks out behind the line of scrimmage. The primary read is the HB in the screen, with the QB looking to get the ball out quickly once the backfield action sells the fake and the front five get out to their blocking angles.
Defensive Reads
Key the defensive line for wide upfield rushes or contain blitzes since overpursuit off the edge opens the screen lane immediately Watch for user controlled defenders spying the backfield or sitting in the shallow flat zone since they can jump the route before blockers arrive Zone coverage shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 with linebackers dropping to intermediate zones tend to leave the flat vulnerable to this concept Man coverage with linebackers blitzing off the edge is the biggest threat since a fast defender can read the HB alignment and blow it up before blockers set Check safety depth and cornerback press alignment presnap, if corners are playing off with soft feet the perimeter blockers get a cleaner path to the second level
Usage Tips
Call this play against aggressive defensive lines that consistently crash the pocket since their pursuit works against them once they cross the line of scrimmage
Use this on early downs in run heavy personnel packages to keep defenses honest against your ground game out of this 21 personnel look
Hold the ball for a beat after the snap to let your linemen get out in front and set their blocking angles before delivering the screen
Pair this with HB Dive and HB Zone from the same set so defenses respect the inside run and bite on the initial line movement
Sequence this after Read Option or PA Slide to condition linebackers to attack downhill, then punish that aggression with the screen
