Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Pistol Wing Slot is a screen pass built to bait the pass rush and get your HB into space with blockers out front. At the snap the four vertical releasers stem upfield to pull linebackers and safeties deep while the offensive line slides to set up screen blocks, and the HB slips out to the flat behind the line, running a short arcing route with a lead blocker as the primary target. The read progression is simple: check the HB screen first against pressure, and if the screen is covered, work through the vertical routes downfield as the rush closes in.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth pre snap, if linebackers are sitting shallow or showing blitz they will have a hard time getting back to the flat once the screen develops. Identify any defender staying home as a spy on the HB, a disciplined user controlled defender who does not bite on the vertical releases can blow this play up immediately. Man coverage with aggressive underneath blitzes is the easiest shell to punish, since rushers crashing the pocket take themselves out of screen defense. Zone shells with linebackers reading the backfield and sinking to their landmarks can sit on the screen and trigger downhill for a loss. Watch for a defensive end or tackle who consistently reads screen and stays back, that player can single handedly wreck the timing by hanging outside the blocking pocket.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you diagnose an aggressive pass rush pre snap, since blitzes and nano blitzes sell out on this concept and hand you a numbers advantage in the flat.
Watch for defenders keying on the backfield immediately after the snap, if a defensive lineman or linebacker is spying the HB, hold the ball an extra beat to let your blockers get set before you throw.
Use the four verticals stemming upfield as a change up threat, if the defense starts jumping the screen every time, take a shot on one of those vertical routes to keep them honest.
This play pairs well with HB Dive and HB Power O in the same formation, running those plays first conditions the defense to key the HB, making the screen hit even harder later in the drive.
Best used on early downs or in third and short situations where defenses are more willing to bring extra rushers, avoid calling it into obvious dime or quarters shells with a spy already in place.
