Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Split Slot Offset is a designed screen play built to punish aggressive pass rushes and man coverage pressure. At the snap the offensive line shows a brief pass set before releasing downfield to escort the HB, while the two outside receivers push vertical up the numbers to clear out cornerbacks and the slot runs an out breaking route to hold the flat defender. The primary read is the HB himself: the QB looks to get the ball out quickly to the backfield once the line has set its screen wall, using the vertical releases as decoys to open up space underneath.
Defensive Reads
Diagnose the blitz pre-snap by counting box defenders, since this play is designed to gash five or six man pressure looks with numbers advantage on the perimeter. If you are on defense, key the offensive linemen for a quick pass set followed by an immediate release upfield, that is the tell for a screen rather than a true dropback pass. User a linebacker or nickel defender and spy the backfield instead of dropping deep with the vertical routes, since those routes are decoys designed to pull defenders out of position. Zone coverage with a linebacker sitting in a shallow hook zone can blow this play up if he reads the guard pulling and squats before the HB gets the ball. Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with disciplined underneath defenders who do not bite on the vertical clears are the best answer to shut down the slip screen entirely.
Usage Tips
Call this against defenses that show blitz pre-snap since the screen naturally beats overloaded rush lanes and delayed pressure. Watch for man coverage indicators like receivers getting no safety help over the top, since the two vertical routes will occupy corners and open the middle for the HB to work. Hot route the slot receiver into a shorter option route if you see a linebacker sitting flat footed underneath, giving your blockers more room to climb. Pair this with HB Sweep or Inside Zone Lt from the same set to keep linebackers guessing between run action and screen action. Use this on early downs or after a hard inside run to bait linebackers into overpursuing before you flip to the screen for an explosive gain.
