Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| FB1 | Left | Pass Block |
| HB1 | Right | Slip Screen |
| WR1 | Left | Streak |
| WR2 | Right | Streak |
| TE1 | Right | Pass Block |
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Split Pro Near is a designed screen play that uses 21 personnel to sell run action while slipping the running back out to the flat behind a wall of releasing linemen. The offensive line initially shows pass protection before releasing downfield to set up blockers, while the HB delays in the backfield before sliding to the perimeter. This is a blitz beater and zone beater at its core, punishing aggressive pass rush and overloaded fronts, and the primary read progression is simple: get the ball to the HB as soon as the screen develops and trust the blocking to spring him for yards after catch.
Pre-snap, look for linebackers cheating up toward the line of scrimmage or showing blitz, since this screen thrives against pressure that overcommits upfield. Identify man coverage shells with corners playing tight technique, as man defenders trailing receivers downfield leave the flat wide open for the HB. Post-snap, watch for a spying linebacker who stays home instead of rushing or dropping deep, since a disciplined spy will blow this play up immediately. Zone defenses with underneath linebackers sitting in short zones can also diagnose and squat on the screen, so avoid this call against Tampa 2 or Cover 3 sink concepts that keep linebackers patient. Check for edge defenders crashing hard off the snap, because their aggressive upfield rush creates the exact alley the blocking scheme is designed to exploit.
Call this play when you diagnose pre-snap blitz indicators like walked up linebackers or overloaded fronts, since the delayed release exploits aggressive pass rush lanes.
Use it on early downs or after a big pass play to slow down a defense that has been keying on your dropback game and teeing off on the quarterback.
Hot route the TE or second back into a quick flat route on the opposite side if you see the defense diagnosing screens quickly, giving yourself a check down option away from the play design.
Pair this with Mtn HB Toss and Outside Zone in your play-calling sequence so defenses respect outside run action, which slows linebacker reaction time to the screen.
Avoid calling this against disciplined zone defenses that spy screens with a linebacker, since those defenders will sit and read the HB instead of dropping into coverage.
Snap the ball with rhythm and let the play develop for a full second before pulling the trigger, since jumping the throw too early puts the ball on the HB before blockers get in front.