Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Box Y Off is a designed screen pass that slips the running back out to the flat behind a wall of releasing blockers while the offensive line initially sets up as if in pass protection before flowing out to lead the screen. The two outside receivers run vertical clear out routes (a corner route and a deep post/dig combo) to pull cornerbacks and safeties downfield and remove defenders from the screen lane, while the backside receiver runs a shallow drag away from the action to hold the flow of the defense. This is a zone beater and blitz beater play designed to punish aggressive pass rushes, with the primary read progression being the HB in the screen as the first and only real read once the ball is snapped.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive linemen with contain or spy assignments who can sniff out the screen and sit on it, this play struggles against disciplined defensive ends that stay home. Zone defenses with linebackers who read the QB's eyes and drop into passing lanes can jump the screen route, so avoid this against defenses that show heavy zone drop tendencies. User-controlled defenders who bail off the line at the snap to jump underneath routes are the biggest threat to this play, look for spy or lurk behavior from a middle linebacker. Man coverage with tight press on the outside receivers actually helps the screen since it occupies cornerbacks downfield away from the HB. If the defense shows an overload blitz to one side, the Slip Screen can gash them if the screen releases away from the bring, but check leverage post-snap to confirm the rush committed away from the HB's release lane.
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 with no underneath zone help.
Wait for your linemen to get out in front of the HB before throwing, do not rush the release or you will throw into the blockers.
Use this against aggressive user blitzers who like to bring extra rushers off the edge since the screen naturally voids that space.
Pair this with Inside Zone and Counter Y to keep defenses honest on early downs, then hit them with the Slip Screen once they start crashing hard to stop the run.
Best used on early downs or as a change of pace after showing several vertical passing concepts like Flood or Y Trail to set up the screen read for the defense.
