Playbooks
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Doubles Y Off is a designed screen pass that sells pass protection before releasing the offensive line to lead block for the running back in the flat. The four receivers all push vertical stems up the field to clear out underneath defenders and occupy the corners and safeties downfield, while the QB takes a quick shuffle step and dumps the ball to the HB working out to the right behind his blockers. This is a zone beater at its core, designed to punish overaggressive pass rushes and drop zone defenders who bite on the vertical route distraction, with the primary read being the HB screen itself and the four verts serving purely as clear out routes rather than progression reads.
Defensive Reads
Watch for user controlled linebackers spying the backfield or sitting in a shallow zone drop, since they can undercut the screen before the OL gets set to block. Cover 3 and Cover 4 zone shells with linebackers reading the QB's eyes are the toughest matchup for this play because those defenders can plant and drive on the HB the instant the ball is released. Man coverage with blitz packages is the ideal matchup to beat since the rushers commit vertically upfield, leaving the screen lane wide open behind them. Identify the defensive end and outside linebacker leverage before the snap, if they are crashing hard off the edge on run support or pass rush the screen has a clean releasing lane. Post snap, track the nearest flat defender or CB in off coverage since a disciplined defender who reads screen immediately can blow this play up for a loss.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see pre-snap indicators of an aggressive four man or five man pass rush since the screen thrives against defenses selling out to get after the QB.
Look for linebackers showing blitz or walked up to the line pre-snap, as their aggressive first step upfield opens the alley for your offensive linemen to seal the screen.
Use your hot route menu sparingly here since the design already clears the flat, but if you see a defender sitting flat footed in the throwing lane, consider a quick alert to a different concept pre-snap.
Pair this play with Four Verticals or Vert Comebacks from the same formation so the defense respects the vertical passing attack and cannot key on the screen action based on personnel or formation tendencies.
Best called on early downs or after establishing inside zone and RPO Zone Peek from this set, since defenses that have seen those runs will trigger downhill and get caught by the screen.
