Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Flex Y Off Close is a screen pass built to bait aggressive pass rushers and blitz-heavy defenses. At the snap the two outside receivers and the inside slot both release vertically to clear out the deep zones and hold corners and safeties downfield, while the offensive line sets up to release and get out in front of the HB as he slips out to the flat behind the line. The primary read is the HB out of the backfield: get the ball to him quickly on the delayed release and let your blockers wall off pursuit so he can turn upfield for yards after catch.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing an overloaded blitz front or heavy man pressure, since this play is designed specifically to exploit those looks. Post-snap, key on the middle linebacker and any user-controlled defender near the line, as a disciplined lurk defender can sit on the screen and blow it up for a loss. Check safety depth before the snap. Two-high shells that stay back are less dangerous to the screen since they cannot quickly close on the flat. Watch for defensive ends or outside linebackers who feather and read the backfield instead of crashing upfield, since they can string the screen out. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with linebackers spying the backfield, expect this play to be shut down quickly at or behind the line of scrimmage.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or obvious passing downs against defenses that show blitz pre-snap, since screens punish overpursuit and extra rushers.
Watch the defensive line alignment before the snap. If you see a nano blitz look or edge rushers crashing hard up the field, this play is designed to make them pay.
Delay your pass release slightly after the snap to let the offensive linemen get out and set up their blocking wall in front of the HB.
Pair this with Inside Zone or Counter Y in your play-calling sequence so the defense respects the run game and bites harder on the screen action.
Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses with linebackers who sit and read, since a lurking defender can jump the screen for a big loss.
