Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
ATL Slip Screen out of Shotgun Split Offset is a designed screen pass built to punish overaggressive pass rush and man pressure. At the snap the offensive line shows pass pro before releasing to set a wall for the HB, who slips out to the flat opposite the concept for the screen look. Up top, two vertical stem routes cross deep while the outside receiver runs a corner route to hold the boundary defender, and a shallow drag underneath crosses the field to occupy linebackers and clear the screen lane. The primary read is the HB screen first, checking the crossing routes and corner as a late progression if the screen is blanketed.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive ends and outside linebackers crashing hard off the edge, since unblocked rushers who overrun the play get left behind by the screen action. Key the flow of linebackers, if they read screen and sit, the crossing routes underneath become the outlet instead. Man coverage with no underneath zone defenders sitting flat is the biggest green light for the HB screen to hit big. Zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 with disciplined linebackers who stay home in their drops can sniff out the screen and blow it up for a loss. Look for a spy or a defender staying in the box late presnap, that is a sign the CPU or user defender is keying the backfield and ready to jump the screen.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or third and short when you expect the defense to bring pressure or sell out on man coverage. Pre-snap, check for blitz indicators like linebackers creeping to the line or safeties rotating down, since screens thrive against pressure. Motion the HB slightly if available to get a cleaner release angle into the flat before setting up behind the line. Use the deep crossing routes and corner as a change of pace against zone shells that sit back and take away the screen lane. Pair this with Mtn FB Cross Screen or Philly Screen in your play-calling sequence to keep defenders honest and hesitant to crash downhill on run fits or blitz off the edge.
