Playbooks
Mtn HB Slot Screen is a designed screen pass out of Shotgun Dbls Flex Y Off Close that uses a mountain (Mtn) motion to shift the formation and disguise the throw to the running back. The offensive line sets up a delayed pass protection look before releasing to lead block for the HB as he slips out to the slot side, giving him blockers in space against overpursuing defenders. This is a screen play designed to counter aggressive man and blitz-heavy defenses, and the primary read is simply the HB catch and run, with the QB progression being a quick check to the flat before resetting to the screen if the underneath defenders bite hard on the initial motion or drop too deep.
Pre-snap, identify if the defense shows Cover 0 or Cover 1 man with blitz indicators like walked up linebackers or safeties cheating into the box, since that is exactly the look this screen wants to exploit. Post-snap, if you are on defense, key the HB immediately off the snap instead of biting on the Mtn motion, since chasing the shift opens running lanes for the screen release. Watch for user-controlled defenders spying the backfield or sitting in short zones near the slot, as a well timed jump on the screen can blow it up for a loss. Zone drops with linebackers reading QB eyes and staying flat footed are the biggest counter, since they can react to the screen action and close the throwing lane before blockers arrive. If the defense shows a nano blitz or contain rush package, the extra rushers will often be too far upfield to recover, making this the ideal answer.
Call this play when you diagnose a blitz pre-snap, since screens punish extra rushers who cannot get back in time to defend the flat.
Use the Mtn motion to bait linebackers and safeties into flowing with the shift, which opens up more room for the HB to work once he releases.
Pair this with Mtn HB Angle and Mtn HB Out earlier in a series so defenders start keying run action and man match responsibilities on the HB, making the screen hit even harder once they overplay those looks.
Avoid calling this against disciplined zone shells that sit and read the QB, since zone defenders can sink and squeeze the screen lane before blockers get set.
On third and short or second and medium, use this as a low risk changeup after a string of Mtn Dagger Y In or Mtn Dig Under passing concepts to slow down pass rush timing and get easy positive yardage.