Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Bunch TE sends three receivers vertical from the bunch alignment, with the two outside routes clearing deep while the inside receiver runs a dig back across the field to occupy underneath defenders and pull linebackers away from the screen. The offensive line shows a delayed release, sliding out to set up in front of the running back who slips out to the flat behind a wall of blockers, making this a true screen play designed to bait the pass rush upfield. The primary read is the HB Slip Screen itself: the QB looks to sell the drop, let the rush commit, then dump it to the back once the blockers get in front of him, with the vertical routes serving purely as a deep decoy to hold safeties and corners.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a spy linebacker or a defender sitting in the shallow flat pre-snap since that alignment is the clearest sign the defense is prepared to blow this screen up. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells that keep linebackers reading the backfield instead of dropping deep with the vertical routes are the toughest matchup for this concept. Man coverage with linebackers manned up on the HB is a major red flag, since a defender staying home on the back can blow up the screen before it develops. Post-snap, key on any defensive lineman who stunts inside or drops into a zone instead of rushing upfield, as disciplined interior line play kills the blocking angle for the screen. If the user flashes a linebacker to the flat immediately after the snap rather than dropping into a deep zone, that is a lurk read designed specifically to jump this exact throw.
Usage Tips
Call this against aggressive four man or five man pass rushes that consistently win up field, since the delayed blockers thrive when defenders overrun the pocket.
Use this on early downs or after showing several dropback pass plays from Bunch TE like Mtn TE Corner or Bunch Levels so the defense is conditioned to rush hard and bite on the vertical routes.
Hold the ball for a two count after the snap to let your offensive line get out in front of the HB, then throw before the widest defender flattens the screen.
If the CPU or user shows a nano blitz or overload pressure package pre-snap, this is one of the best answers in the set since blitzers run themselves out of the screen lane.
Pair this with Mtn HB Slip Screen or Mtn Jailbreak Screen in your play-calling sequence so opponents cannot key on personnel or formation tendencies to jump the screen.
