Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Doubles Offset Wk sends three receivers vertical to clear out underneath defenders while the backside X also runs vertical to hold the corner, leaving the offensive line to release and set up screen blocks in front of the running back. The HB slips out to the left after a brief pass-block fake, catching the shovel-style toss behind a wall of blockers. This is a classic screen play designed to beat aggressive man and zone blitzes by using the pass rush's own momentum against it, with the primary read being a simple progression: get the ball to the HB in the flat and let the blocking convoy work.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing man coverage with corners playing tight technique on the outside receivers, since man defenders chasing vertical routes leave the screen lane wide open. Watch for linebacker blitzes or stunts up front, aggressive send-outs are exactly what this screen is built to exploit as rushers overrun the play. Post-snap, key the flow of the middle linebacker, if he sits and reads the backfield instead of flowing with the offensive line release, he can jump the screen and blow it up for a loss. Look for user-controlled defenders spying the HB or sitting in the shallow flat area, a smart user can shoot the gap or lurk the screen before blockers get set. Zone shells with underneath defenders holding short zones near the line of scrimmage are the biggest threat, since they can read the linemen releasing and undercut the throw before the HB secures it.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you diagnose blitz pre-snap through defensive line stacking or linebackers creeping toward the line of scrimmage since the natural rush lanes create easy running room for the HB.
Use the four vertical routes as a built in deterrent, if the defense drops into deep zone coverage those routes can hold safeties and corners while the screen develops underneath.
Pair this call with other RPO Peek and RPO Bubble concepts in the same set so defenses cannot key on run versus pass tendencies based on formation alone.
Avoid throwing this into disciplined zone defenses that keep linebackers at home, since spy linebackers or zone defenders sitting short can blow this up before the wall forms.
Sequence this after a few successful inside zone or outside zone runs so linebackers start flowing downhill quickly, making them easier to screen behind.
