Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Bunch Y-Flex is a designed screen pass built to slow down aggressive pass rushers and blitz-heavy defenses. The bunch trio releases vertically, with the two outside receivers pushing deep and clearing space while the inside bunch man works a shallow angle route to occupy underneath defenders, and the backside receiver runs a comeback-style route to hold the corner. Up front the offensive line sets up a screen wall for the HB, who slips out of the backfield behind the developing pocket as the primary read, with the QB progressing immediately to the screen once he sees pressure or a blitz look.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive tackles and ends selling out on the pass rush, aggressive three and four man rush lanes are exactly what this screen exploits Man coverage with no underneath zone defenders spying the backfield gets gashed because there is nobody sitting on the screen lane Beware of user-controlled defensive linemen or linebackers who peel off and sit in the passing lane, disciplined defenders reading backfield flow can blow this up instantly Zone coverage shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 with linebackers dropping deep into their zones leave the screen lane wide open since nobody is spying the running back A defense that shows Cover 2 or Cover 6 with linebackers staying shallow and reading the quarterback's eyes can jump the screen route before the HB gets his blockers set
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or second-and-medium when the defense shows a pre-snap blitz look or heavy edge pressure alignment
Check the leverage of the defensive ends and outside linebackers before the snap, if they are crashing hard off the edge this screen punishes that aggression
Use the hot route menu to keep an extra blocker in if you see a six or seven man blitz package, this slows the screen but protects against instant penetration
Pair this with HB Choice or 49er HB Choice from the same set to keep defenses guessing between a quick checkdown and the slower developing slip screen
Sell the play fake with your eyes on the vertical bunch releases for a beat before committing to the screen so linebackers do not immediately jump the throwing lane
