Playbooks

HB Slip Screen

Shotgun·Ace Slot Offset·12

Screen Pass Hb Screen Pass Play

Play diagram for HB Slip Screen from Shotgun Ace Slot Offset in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetAce Slot Offset

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

In 5 playbooks

Patriots OffenseOffense Raiders OffenseOffense Shotgun Mix NFL Live Patriots OffenseOffense NFL Live Raiders OffenseOffense

Breakdown

HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Ace Slot Offset sends both outside receivers on vertical clear-out routes to pull coverage downfield while the two X receivers on the left run deep breaking routes to occupy corners and safeties. The offensive line and TEs sell pass protection for a beat before releasing to set up a wall of blockers in front of the running back, who slips out to the flat as the screen valve. The RB flat route to the right is the primary read: this is a classic screen play designed to bait aggressive pass rushers and blitzes, punishing man and zone pressure alike by getting the ball out to the RB with blockers leading the way.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing man coverage with corners pressed on the outside receivers, since this leaves underneath zones vacated for the RB to exploit. Check linebacker depth before the snap. Shallow linebackers sitting at five yards or less are the biggest threat to jump this screen and blow up the timing. Post-snap, key on defensive end and edge rusher discipline. If the ends stay home and read run/screen instead of crashing upfield, they can string this play out for a loss. Watch for a user-controlled defender spying the backfield or sitting in a designated lurk zone, since screens live and die on whether a smart user reads the RB's release early. This play struggles against zone blitzes where a defensive lineman drops into a shallow zone, because that extra body in the throwing lane disrupts the blocking wall and the RB's outlet timing.

Usage Tips

Call this against defenses showing pressure pre-snap, since blitzing linebackers and edge rushers who crash upfield create the natural lanes this screen needs to hit big.

Watch the defensive line alignment before the snap. If you see a wide nine technique or stacked blitz look, this play punishes that aggression immediately.

Delay your pass button release slightly after the snap so your blockers have time to get out in front of the RB, then trust the read and throw to the flat as soon as the routes clear.

Pair this play with HB Punch and Inside Zone in the same set to keep defenders honest against the run, then dial up this screen when you diagnose a blitz on early down and distance.

Use this on first or second down in obvious run-blitz situations, since the four vertical and deep breaking routes on the backside occupy defenders and remove them from screen support.

Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses with linebackers sitting short, since spy defenders or a lurking Mike linebacker can blow this up before blockers set the wall.