Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Bunch Spread Nasty is a designed screen pass that lets the offensive line release upfield while the running back slips out to the flat for a leaking screen. The diagram shows the two receivers on the closed side clearing vertically and outside to pull coverage away, while the bunch side runs a corner route, an out breaking flat route, and an intermediate crosser to occupy underneath defenders and stretch the zone horizontally and vertically. The primary read is the HB in the backfield as he releases behind the offensive line's screen block, with the running back as the built in first read against any defense that fails to diagnose the screen.
Defensive Reads
Key the defensive line pursuit angles immediately after the snap, if the ends and tackles are crashing hard upfield the screen lane opens instantly behind them. Spy or user control a linebacker and keep his eyes on the backfield rather than following his zone drop, since most CPU and casual defenders bite on the vertical route distraction from the bunch concept. Watch for defenses that stay disciplined with a linebacker sitting at five to seven yards depth in the middle of the field, that positioning lets him read screen and blow it up before the blockers get set. Press man coverage on the outside receivers combined with an athletic middle linebacker who does not chase the vertical routes is the biggest counter to this play, since he can trigger downhill on the screen the instant the running back releases. Zone blitz calls that drop a defensive lineman into a shallow zone are dangerous here, since that extra underneath defender can sit right in the screen's catch window.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see aggressive edge blitzes or a nano blitz look, since the natural blockers in front of the running back neutralize speed rushers before they reach the backfield.
Use it on early downs in first and second and long situations because a blown up blitz or overpursuing linebackers turn this into a big chunk gain.
Watch pre-snap for man coverage with linebackers pressed on the line, that alignment tells you they are bringing pressure and the screen will have a clean lane once the line releases.
Pair this call with Inside Zone or Outside Zone from the same Bunch Spread Nasty set to keep the defense honest on run fits, then hit them with the screen once they start crashing downhill on run reads.
If the user controls a linebacker and spies the running back, hot route one of the bunch receivers into a quick option or hitch to give yourself an outlet so you are not forced to force the screen into a sitting defender.
