Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Spread Dbl Flex Wk sends all four receivers vertical off the snap to clear out the underneath zones and pull defenders deep, while the offensive line shows pass pro before releasing to set up a screen wall in front of the running back. The HB slips out to the left behind the line as the lone red route, giving you a numbers advantage on the perimeter if the rush bites. This is a classic screen concept built to beat aggressive man pressure and blitz packages, with the primary read being the HB out of the backfield once the blockers get in front of him.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive ends and outside linebackers with contain responsibility, disciplined edge defenders who stay home instead of crashing the pocket will blow this play up immediately. Identify blitz packages pre-snap by checking linebacker depth and alignment, this play is designed to counter overload blitzes and man pressure schemes. Post-snap, user a linebacker or safety to spy the HB out of the backfield instead of dropping into deep coverage, this lurk technique can jump the screen before blockers arrive. Zone shells with linebackers sitting in short and intermediate zones are the biggest counter, since they can read the screen action and close on the HB in the flat. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with deep safeties staying home, the vertical routes will not draw enough attention, allowing an extra defender to key the backfield and disrupt the screen timing.
Usage Tips
Call this against pressure-heavy defenses that show blitz indicators pre-snap such as linebackers creeping to the line or safeties rotating down into the box.
Snap the ball quickly after the read and let your linemen release into their blocks before checking down to the HB, patience is key so you do not bail on the play early.
Pair this with Inside Zone or SFT Mtn Inside Zone earlier in a series to sell run action and get second and third level defenders flowing downhill, making the screen hit even harder.
Use the four vertical routes as a built in hot route trigger, if the defense shows man coverage with no underneath help those routes can occupy corners and safeties long enough for the screen to develop untouched.
Avoid calling this on third and long against zone heavy defenses that sit back and read the backfield, since underneath defenders can sit on the screen and blow it up before blockers get set.
