Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Cheat HB Slip Screen is a screen pass out of Bunch Wide Nasty in Shotgun that uses a bunch alignment to disguise the HB slipping out to the flat behind a wall of blockers. The two outside receivers run clearout routes (one flat and one deep vertical) to pull coverage away, while the offensive line and near TE fan out to set the screen wall on the same side. The primary read is the HB screen itself once the initial line action sells run or drop, with the deep clearout serving as a checkdown if the screen is jumped.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defenders spying the backfield or slow-playing their initial pass rush drop, since disciplined edge defenders can string the screen out and blow it up. Man coverage with press corners on the bunch receivers is a green light, since the clearout routes will pull defenders away from the screen lane. Zone coverage with linebackers sitting in short hook or curl zones is the biggest threat, as those defenders can read the screen and undercut the throw. Identify user-controlled defenders lurking near the line of scrimmage pre-snap, since a smart user can bait the quarterback and jump the screen for a big loss. If the defense shows a heavy blitz package with linebackers crashing downhill, the screen should hit big because those blitzers are removed from the screen lane once they commit upfield.
Usage Tips
Use this against aggressive defenses that bring pressure or crash hard on run action, since the screen punishes overpursuit and blitz-heavy calls.
Check the defensive line pre-snap for wide 9 techniques or edge rushers who sell speed off the ball, as that width creates a bigger alley for the HB to work behind blockers.
Hold the ball for a one count after the snap to let your linemen release and set the wall before targeting the HB, and never rush the throw against zone drops.
Pair this call with Inside Zone or Cheat Inside Zone earlier in a series so the defense keys run action from the backfield and bites on the screen fake.
Mix in Cheat Flood Switch or Verticals from the same set to keep defenses honest against the outside clearout routes, then dial up this screen once they start jumping underneath routes.
