Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn HB Slip Screen is a screen pass out of Shotgun Bunch TE that uses two vertical clear-out routes up the seams and a receiver dragging across the formation to sell pass and pull second-level defenders away from the backfield. The offensive line slides to give the illusion of a pocket while the HB slips out to the flat behind the line, catching the screen with blockers releasing in front of him. This is a zone beater designed to punish aggressive zone drops and overpursuit, with the primary read being the HB out of the backfield first, working through the developing alley as blockers get in position.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive ends and outside linebackers who read screen quickly and sit on the HB release instead of rushing the passer, this kills the play before it starts. Identify if the defense is running a zone blitz or nano blitz package, since interior pressure with contain defenders staying home will disrupt the timing needed for blockers to release. Look for a spy or hook defender sitting in the middle of the field, this player is often the first to diagnose and close on the screen before blockers arrive. Check safety depth pre-snap, if safeties are shallow and reading the backfield instead of respecting the vertical routes, they can drive on the screen and limit the gain. Man coverage with underneath defenders trailing the vertical routes tends to open more room, but a linebacker with eyes on the backfield the entire snap is the biggest threat to blow this up.
Usage Tips
Call this against teams that show zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 since the vertical clear-outs pull linebackers and safeties out of the throwing lane before the HB releases.
Use pre-snap motion to check if the defense is playing man across the formation, and if a defender follows the motion man into the bunch, bail on the screen and audible to a quicker hitter.
Let the screen develop fully before throwing, do not rush the release, since the linemen need an extra beat to get out and seal defenders.
Pair this with Mtn HB Stretch or HB Off Tackle earlier in a drive so the defense keys run action to the HB and bites harder on the vertical routes, opening the screen lane even more.
Best used on early downs or obvious run downs when defenders are sitting on run fits and linebackers are flowing downhill, since a delayed blitz can blow this play up if the screen is thrown too early.
