Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Pistol Trips Open sends the three trips receivers vertical and across the field to pull defenders away from the backfield, while the backside X runs a corner route to hold that side of the field. The offensive line pass sets briefly before releasing to build a wall in front of the running back, who slips out to the flat behind the line for the screen. This is a designed screen pass built to bait pressure and beat the blitz, with the primary read progression being the HB screen first and the trips route combo as a secondary option if the defense sits back in coverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a spy or a linebacker sitting in the middle of the field post snap, that defender is the primary threat to jump the screen before blockers get set. Man coverage with press corners on the trips side is a green light for the offense since it pulls defenders away from the box and slows their reaction to the screen. If the defense shows a soft zone shell with linebackers reading the quarterback's eyes instead of biting on routes, they can sit and read the screen develop, which shuts this down quickly. Check safety depth pre snap, a single high safety often means man coverage underneath which favors the screen, while two deep safeties can signal zone drops that leave a linebacker free to read and react. Blitzes off the edge are actually good for the offense here since those rushers run themselves out of the screen lane, but interior delayed blitzes or A gap pressure can disrupt the timing of the linemen releasing to block.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see pre-snap blitz indicators like linebackers creeping to the line or a defensive coordinator showing man press across the trips side.
Use the vertical and crossing routes from the trips bunch as clear out routes, they are designed to occupy defenders and open up space rather than serve as your primary target.
Let the offensive line get depth on their release before checking down to the HB, rushing the throw too early can result in the back not having blockers set up yet.
Pair this play with HB Dive or HB Counter in the same set to keep defenses honest on their run fits, then hit them with this screen when they start crashing hard on early down runs.
Best used on early downs or in obvious passing situations against aggressive four man or five man rush packages, avoid calling it against zone blitzes with a spy underneath since that defender can blow it up.
