Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Trey 4WR is a designed screen pass that releases the HB out to the flank while the offensive line sets up to escort blockers downfield. The trips side runs a corner and out combo to clear the underneath zone and pull coverage vertically, while the single receiver runs a shallow crosser away from the screen to occupy the backside defender. The primary read is the HB in the screen, with the QB looking to get the ball out quickly once the pocket blockers release into their lanes.
Defensive Reads
Watch for user controlled defenders spying the HB at the snap, since a lurking linebacker or safety can jump the screen for a big loss. Check linebacker depth pre-snap, shallow or blitzing linebackers are the biggest threat to this play because they can read the screen and close the lane instantly. Man coverage on the outside routes tends to open running lanes since defenders turn their back to the screen, while zone shells with underneath defenders sitting flat are the best counter to this concept. Identify overload blitz packages before the snap, since a heavy edge rush can either get home too fast or get sealed off completely by the screen blockers depending on timing. Post snap, track any defender who stays home instead of rushing or dropping, that is the tell for a screen read defense designed to blow this play up.
Usage Tips
Call this play against aggressive four man rushes or delayed pressure looks since the extra rushers vacate the screen lane faster.
Check the defensive line splits pre-snap, if you see wide nine techniques or edge blitzers showing, the slip screen punishes that aggression immediately.
Hot route the backside shallow crosser into a hitch if the defense shows man coverage with no underneath help, giving you a quick outlet if the screen is jumped.
Pair this call with Inside Dig or Four Verticals earlier in the series to bait linebackers into dropping deep, which opens up the screen lane on second and third down.
Avoid calling this on obvious passing downs against zone heavy defenses that sit their linebackers underneath, since sitting defenders can blow up the screen before blockers get set.
