Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 13 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Doubles Y Off Nasty is a designed screen pass built to bait the defensive line and outside linebackers into the backfield before the running back slips out to the weak side. The diagram shows all four wide receivers releasing vertically to clear out the underneath zones and occupy the deep defenders, while the offensive line sets up to protect for a beat before releasing to lead block for the HB. The primary read is automatic: the quarterback looks immediately to the HB releasing left, trusting the blocks in front to spring him once the receivers have cleared the underneath area.
Defensive Reads
Key on the middle linebacker and weak side linebacker at the snap, since a fast flow read or a defender staying home in the backfield can jump the screen for a big loss. Watch for user-controlled defenders spying the quarterback or sitting in the shallow zone near the line of scrimmage, as this is the number one killer of HB screens in competitive play. Man coverage with linebackers chasing receivers vertically is ideal for this play since it removes defenders from the screen lane entirely. Zone coverage shells with a defender assigned to short flat or curl zones on the play side can sit and read the quarterback's eyes, so disguise your intent by looking off the screen if possible. Heavy blitz packages can actually help this play if the rush commits upfield, but a well timed delayed blitz or contain rush that stays disciplined will blow up the screen before the lead blockers get set.
Usage Tips
Call this against aggressive pass rush tendencies, since defensive ends and blitzing linebackers crashing upfield create the natural alley for the HB to run through.
Use it as a change-up after running Inside Zone or Outside Zone from the same set so the defense respects the run fake and bites on any play action look.
Avoid calling this into zone blitzes or defenses that drop a linebacker into a shallow spy or hook zone, since that defender can sit on the screen and blow it up before blocks develop.
Best used on early downs or in obvious passing situations where the defense is expecting a dropback shot play like X Dagger or Double Post from this same formation.
If the defense shows an overload blitz to the play side, consider hot routing a receiver into a quick out to give yourself a bailout option if the screen gets read.
