Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 15 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Spread sends four vertical routes downfield to occupy the deep defenders and linebackers, clearing the underneath area for the HB slip screen developing in the backfield. The offensive line shows a pass set before releasing to get out in front of the back, giving him blockers as he slips out to the flat. This is a screen play designed to counter pressure and beat aggressive man or blitz-heavy looks, with the primary read being the HB out of the backfield first, only working through the four verticals if the defense sits on the screen.
Defensive Reads
Watch for user controlled defensive linemen who spy the backfield instead of rushing, since they can blow up the screen before it develops. Key on linebacker depth at the snap, if they sink immediately into shallow zones they can undercut the screen read. Identify press man coverage on the outside receivers pre-snap, since that alignment often means fewer defenders left to help against the screen in the flat. Look for a nano blitz or all out pressure call, this play is designed to exploit that exact defensive tendency by getting blockers out in front of the rush. If the defense shows a two high safety shell with disciplined zone drops, expect the screen to get sniffed out and be ready to climb the progression to the verticals instead.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see pre-snap blitz indicators like linebackers creeping to the line or a defensive line shifted wide, since the screen punishes upfield rush lanes.
Snap the ball quickly once you diagnose man coverage or a blitz, and let your blockers get set before hitting the HB with the throw.
Use the four verticals as a hard counter if the defense drops into a soft zone or shows a spy, since the screen will have no room to develop against disciplined zone defenders sitting underneath.
Pair this with HB Draw and Inside Zone earlier in a drive so the defense respects the run action, making the screen even more effective against overaggressive fronts.
Avoid calling this on obvious passing downs against defenses that show Cover 2 or Cover 3 with linebackers sitting flat footed, since those shells have numbers to the screen side.
