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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Slot Pick Screen out of Shotgun Empty Base is a designed screen pass that uses natural rub traffic from bunched slot receivers to spring a pass catcher open in the shallow area. The blocking scheme releases interior linemen and the slot receiver's stalk blocks create a pick that separates the primary target from man coverage defenders trailing underneath. This is a man beater built to punish aggressive man press and blitz packages, and the primary read progression is to immediately identify the picked receiver coming out of the rub before checking down to any secondary flat option if the pick gets jammed at the line.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, identify press man corners on the slot receivers since tight man alignment confirms the pick will spring the target open immediately at the snap. Watch safety depth before the snap, deep two high shells signal zone drops underneath that can clog the picked receiver's lane and force a checkdown. Post snap, key the flowing linebackers and any user controlled defender near the pick point, a smart user will fight through the rub and undercut the throw. If the defense shows a nano blitz or heavy interior pressure package, the screen concept naturally counters it since blockers release into space instead of engaging rushers. Look for a lurking defender sitting in the shallow zone as a spy, since that assignment can jump the route before the pick develops and blow up the timing of the throw.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see press man alignment or overload blitz looks pre snap since the rub concept neutralizes man defenders trying to trail in space.
Use it on early downs or in obvious blitz downs like 3rd and long when defenses send extra rushers, because the quick screen release beats pressure before it arrives.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick slant or hitch if the defense shows zone, since zone defenders will sit on the picked route and take away the free access.
Pair this with Fk Screen Verts or Mtn HB Screen earlier in a drive to condition the defense to respect the run action and screen game, then hit Slot Pick Screen as a changeup once linebackers start selling out on jet motion and RPO reads.
Avoid calling this against teams that show heavy zone match or Cover 3 sky shells, since the pick loses its value when defenders pass off assignments instead of trailing in man.
