Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Pistol Y Trips shows three vertical releases from the trips side clearing out the deep zones while the backside outside receiver runs a deep vertical to hold the corner. The offensive line sets up a slip screen release to the running back, who slides out to the flat behind a wall of blockers as the line lets defenders through before releasing to lead block. This is a designed screen pass and a blitz beater, meant to bait aggressive pass rushes and blitz packages, with the primary read being the HB in the flat as soon as protection sets, only working the vertical routes downfield if the defense sits back and sniffs the screen out immediately.
Defensive Reads
Watch for user-controlled defenders spying the running back at the snap, since a good defender will sit on the screen and jump the throwing lane instead of rushing. Pre-snap, look at linebacker depth and edge rusher alignment, if the defense is showing a heavy blitz look with defensive ends crashing hard upfield, that is exactly the alignment this screen is designed to punish. Man coverage with corners locked on the trips receivers and no underneath help is where this play thrives, since the receivers occupy defenders deep while the screen develops underneath. Zone coverage shells with linebackers reading the backfield and sitting in short zones are the counter, they can diagnose the screen quickly and either sit on it or fire through the gap the line vacated. Post-snap, key the defensive line's discipline, if they read screen and stay home instead of rushing, get the ball out fast or check down to avoid a loss on the play.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see pre-snap blitz indicators like linebackers creeping to the line or safeties rotating down into the box, since the extra rushers create natural running lanes once they commit upfield. Use it on early downs or after a big pass play to slow down aggressive defensive play-calling and reset the pace of the drive. Hot route the backside vertical route into a shorter option if you are facing zone coverage that sits and reads the quarterback, since a lingering deep threat with no blitz coming can tip your hand. Pair this with Four Verticals or PA Read from the same Y Trips set so the defense cannot key on personnel or formation tendencies and has to respect both the deep shots and the screen. Avoid calling it against disciplined zone defenses with linebackers sitting in short hook zones, since they can read the screen and blow it up before the blockers get set.
