Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Spread Flex is a designed screen pass built to slow down aggressive pass rushes and disguised blitzes. At the snap the outside receivers run vertical clear out routes (a corner route and a go route on the left, plus two receivers stemming outside and then breaking back inside to wall off defenders on the right) to pull coverage away from the backfield, while the offensive line lets the rush flow upfield before releasing to lead block for the HB. The running back sneaks out to the flat behind the initial rush flow as the primary and essentially only read, catching the ball in space with blockers stacked in front of him.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, identify if the defense is showing Cover 3 or Cover 1 man with safeties rotated deep, since those shells commit defenders to the vertical clear outs and open up the screen lane. Watch for a spy linebacker or a defensive end who stays home instead of rushing, that is the biggest tell the screen will get blown up for a loss. Man coverage on the outside receivers with press corners is a strong indicator the offense wants you to bite on the vertical routes, stay disciplined and keep eyes on the backfield instead. Zone blitzes and Cover 2 zone drops with linebackers reading the backfield quickly are the most effective counters since defenders can react to the HB releasing instead of getting sucked upfield. Lurk defenders sitting in the shallow flat or a spy assigned to the running back will erase this play, so scout for user controlled defenders creeping toward the flat before the snap.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see a pre snap indicator of an aggressive four man rush or a disguised nano blitz since the natural rush flow sets up the screen blocking perfectly. Use the two outside vertical routes and the crossing releases on the right as clear out routes, do not look to throw them, they exist purely to occupy corners and safeties. Throw the HB Slip Screen quickly once your blockers get outside, holding the ball too long lets fast flowing linebackers and edge defenders sniff it out and blow it up behind the line. Sequence this play with Outside Zone and PA Deep Outs earlier in a drive so the defense keys run action or deep shots, making the screen hit even harder against overaggressive pursuit. Best used on early downs or after establishing a physical run game, and avoid calling it against teams that consistently show discipline with defensive ends sitting home on screens.
