Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 15 playbooks
Breakdown
Cheat HB Slip Screen is a screen pass out of Shotgun Bunch Spread that uses a two receiver clear out on the outside (a corner/go route paired with a flat route from the bunch) while the offensive line and the running back slip out to set up a wall in front of the throw. The lone receiver to the boundary side runs an out breaking route to occupy the corner on that side and hold the numbers. The primary read is the HB in the flat behind the developing screen wall, with the quarterback looking to get the ball out quickly once the underneath defenders bite on the deep clear outs from the bunch side. This is a screen play designed to bait aggressive pass rushers and blitzing linebackers, functioning as a built in answer to pressure looks.
Defensive Reads
Key the defensive line and edge rushers before the snap, if they are lined up wide and aggressive off the ball this play is designed to exploit their upfield rush angle. Watch for a spy or a defender staying home on the running back, since that indicates the defense has scouted the screen and will blow up the wall before it forms. Identify blitz packages or nano blitz pressure calls, this screen is a direct counter to overloaded blitzes since the extra rushers create the exact running lanes the blockers need. Read the linebacker depth at the snap, shallow and downhill linebackers will get to the screen fast and disrupt the timing, while linebackers who bite on the deep clear out routes get erased. Look for a user controlled defender sitting in the shallow flat or lurking near the line, since a heads up user can jump the screen route and turn it into a turnover before the blockers get set.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or third and short when you expect the defense to bring pressure, since the screen is designed to punish blitzers who are flowing hard upfield.
Check the pre-snap alignment of the linebackers, if they are creeping toward the line of scrimmage or showing blitz indicators, this is your green light play.
Use motion if available to get a free release read on man coverage before the snap, since a defender following the HB in motion tips man coverage and tells you the screen has less traffic to work through.
Pair this play with Outside Zone or Inside Zone in your call sheet so the defense has to respect the run fake tempo, making the screen hit harder once linebackers start keying run action.
Avoid throwing this into zone coverage with disciplined linebackers who sit and read, since zone defenders can sniff out the screen and blow it up before the wall sets.
Sequence this after a couple of quick game passes like Cheat Slot Cross or Mtn Slot Hitch so the defense speeds up their pass rush, opening the lane for the HB to work behind blockers.
