Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 11 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Normal Y Off Wk sends four receivers vertically upfield to clear out the underneath zones while the offensive line slips outside to set up a wall of blockers for the running back. The HB releases to the flat opposite the QB's initial drop and waits for blockers to get outside before turning upfield behind the screen wall. This is a pure screen pass built to beat aggressive man pressure and overloaded blitz packages, and the primary read is simply getting the ball to the HB in space once the perimeter blockers are set.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage with blitz packages is the biggest vulnerability for this play since defenders are turned away from the backfield and out of position to react. Watch for a spy linebacker or a defender staying home in the shallow flat, that player can blow up the screen before blockers get set. Zone defenses with disciplined underneath linebackers who sit and read the QB's eyes will diagnose this screen quickly and close the throwing lane. Pre-snap, identify if the defense shows Cover 0 or Cover 1 man pressure looks, this is exactly when the slip screen hits hardest. Post-snap, user-controlled defenders who stay square and do not bite on the vertical route fakes can jump the screen for a big loss, so avoid this call against defenders known for sitting in the backfield.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or third and short when the defense has shown blitz tendencies on previous snaps.
Check the defensive line splits and linebacker depth pre-snap, if they are crashing hard off the edge this screen punishes that aggression.
Use your hot route to keep one of the vertical receivers on a shorter route if you see zone coverage sitting underneath, since the four verticals can get grabby against a two high shell.
Pair this with Four Verticals or Double Slants from the same set so the defense respects the drop back pass game and stays honest instead of keying run or screen.
Snap the ball quickly after the blockers release to avoid giving pass rushers time to sniff out the screen and sit on it.
