Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Tight Y Off is a designed screen pass built to bait aggressive pass rushers and blitz-heavy defenses. Four receivers push vertical to clear the underneath zones and occupy the corners and safeties downfield while the HB slips out to the flat behind a wall of linemen releasing to set up blocks in front of him. The primary read progression is simple: check the HB out of the backfield first, and only work through vertical routes as a secondary option if the defense sits back and refuses to bite on the screen action.
Defensive Reads
Watch for blitz packages and nano blitzes pre-snap since HB Slip Screen is specifically designed to counter aggressive pass rush calls. If you are on defense, key the HB immediately at the snap instead of dropping into your assigned zone, especially if you see four receivers release vertically with no immediate underneath threat. User a linebacker or spy defender and sit him in the intended screen lane rather than rushing the passer to blow up the play before the blockers get set. Man coverage teams that send extra rushers are the most vulnerable, since defenders with their backs turned in man coverage cannot react to the screen in time. Zone coverage shells with disciplined linebackers who hold their depth and refuse to bite on the run action shut this play down completely.
Usage Tips
Call this against defenses showing pressure indicators pre-snap such as walked-up linebackers or overload fronts on one side of the line.
Let the blocking develop for a full second before throwing, patience is key so your linemen can get out in front and seal off defenders.
Use this play as a changeup after running RPO Zone Peek or RPO Peek Slant a few times to condition the defense into keying quick game and blitzing off the edge.
Avoid throwing this into aggressive zone defenses that keep linebackers at home, since spy defenders can blow it up before the wall sets.
Pair this with Inside Zone or Duo earlier in a drive so the defense respects the run fake and commits extra bodies toward the box, opening space for the screen to hit.
