Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Trio HB Wk is a designed screen pass that slips the running back out to the flat behind a wall of blockers while three receivers push vertical to clear out the underneath defenders. The three outside routes (two verticals and a corner breaking route) occupy the cornerbacks and safeties, buying time for the offensive line to release and get out in front of the HB in the screen lane. This is a zone beater at its core, designed to bait aggressive zone drops and blitzes into vacating the box so the HB can catch the ball with blockers leading him upfield, with the primary read being the HB screen itself once the line sets up its convoy.
Defensive Reads
This play is most effective against man coverage and blitz-heavy defenses that send extra rushers upfield, since those defenders take themselves out of position to make a play in the screen lane. It struggles against disciplined zone defenses with linebackers who sit and read the backfield, especially cover 3 or cover 4 shells with a spy underneath. Pre-snap, look for safeties rotating down into the box or linebackers creeping toward the line, both of which indicate blitz packages that this screen is designed to exploit. Post-snap, key on any user-controlled defender staying home in the middle of the field or dropping into a shallow zone near the line of scrimmage, since that lurk threat can jump the screen for a big loss. If the defense shows a nano blitz or has a defensive lineman dropping into coverage, expect that defender to sit right in the screen lane and consider checking to a different play.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see defenses stacking the box or bringing pressure, since blitzing linebackers and edge rushers will run themselves out of the screen lane. Best used on early downs or after you have shown a few run plays from Trio HB Wk to keep linebackers downhill and thinking run. Pair it with Inside Zone and Wide Zone from this same set so the pre-snap look is identical and defenders cannot key the screen based on formation tendencies. Watch for defenders spying the backfield or a linebacker sitting flat footed in the middle of the field, since that is a sign the defense is jumping screens and you should check the play at the line. Once you throw it, snap the ball quickly to the flat and let your blockers get set before user-catching to avoid a tackle for loss.
