Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Trey Offset shows three receivers to the trips side running vertical clear-out routes (a deep go, a corner-breaking route, and a shorter out) designed to pull second and third level defenders away from the backfield. Up front the offensive line sets up a delayed screen release, letting the front pass rush through before flowing out to lead block for the HB, who slips out to the flat opposite the trips look. This is a screen play built to beat aggressive man pressure and blitz packages, and the primary read is simply getting the ball to the HB in space once the linemen get out in front, with the trips routes serving only to occupy defenders and hold the deep coverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify blitz-heavy alignments with linebackers crashing the A or B gaps, since this play is designed to slip the HB out behind that exact pressure. Watch for user-controlled defenders spying the backfield instead of dropping into coverage or rushing, as they can blow up the screen before blockers arrive. Post-snap, key on whether linebackers sit and read the offensive line instead of chasing the vertical routes upfield, since disciplined zone drops kill this concept. Look for safeties staying deep in a two-high shell rather than crashing down, which allows them to rally quickly and limit the HB after the catch. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with linebackers reading run-pass mesh, expect underneath defenders to sit on the screen and force a checkdown or throwaway.
Usage Tips
Call this against defenses showing blitz indicators like walked-up linebackers or safeties creeping into the box pre-snap, since the delayed line release is designed to exploit hard pass rush lanes.
Use the trips side vertical routes to bait man coverage defenders into turning their backs to the backfield, which opens the throwing window to the HB in the flat.
Pair this with Inside Zone and HB Counter earlier in a drive so the defense respects the run fake and commits extra defenders downhill, making the slip screen hit even bigger.
Best used on early downs or in obvious passing situations against teams that dial up exotic blitzes, since it punishes overpursuit and empty box looks.
Avoid calling this into zone-heavy defenses with disciplined linebackers sitting underneath, since they can read the screen and jump the throwing lane before the blockers get set.
