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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun 4WR Trips Strong sends three trips receivers vertical up the field to clear out underneath defenders and hold the deep coverage shell, while the backside single receiver runs a similar clear out route to the opposite numbers. The offensive line shows pass set initially before releasing to get out in front of the HB, who slips out to the backside flat after a fake pass block for the screen. This is a classic screen pass designed to beat aggressive man pressure and overzealous blitz packages, with the primary read being the HB in the flat as soon as the linemen get set up front.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker and weakside linebacker depth at the snap, if they immediately flow hard to the play call fake or blitz off the edge this screen has a wide open lane. Watch for a defensive lineman with screen recognition abilities who stays home and spies the backfield, this can blow up the play before the blockers get set. Man coverage with aggressive slot corner blitzes or overload pressure packages are prime targets for this concept since the rushers take themselves out of the screen passing lane. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with linebackers sitting short and reading the quarterback's eyes, they can undercut the screen for a big loss or turnover. Look for a user controlled defender spying the backfield or shuffling with the HB pre-snap, since a heads up user rush end or linebacker is the biggest threat to this play.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or after showing base runs from this same personnel to sell run action and bait linebackers upfield.
Watch pre-snap for blitz indicators like walked up linebackers or slot corners showing blitz, since HB Slip Screen is a built in answer to overpursuing defenses.
Let your linemen get out fully in front of the HB before throwing it, do not rush the release or the blockers will not be set up.
Pair this with Inside Zone or HB Draw earlier in a series so the defense keys run action and flows hard, opening up the screen lanes.
Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers home in their drops, since screen defenders sitting in shallow zones can jump the throw.
