Playbooks

HB Slip Screen

Shotgun·Trio Offset Wk·11
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Trio Offset Wk is a change of pace screen play designed to slow down aggressive interior pass rushers and blitz heavy defenses. The offensive line initially shows pass pro before releasing to set up a wall in front of the running back, who slips out to the flat or middle void behind the line of scrimmage. The primary read is simple: get the ball to the HB immediately after the snap and let the blocking convoy develop in front of him, using leverage from the offset personnel to create room outside or up the middle depending on how the defense flows.

Defensive Reads

Watch for defensive tackles or edge rushers selling hard upfield immediately after the snap since that flow is exactly what the screen exploits. Man coverage with blitz packages is the ideal defense to attack because defenders turn their backs to the backfield and lose the running back in traffic. Zone coverage with disciplined linebackers who sit and read the quarterback can sniff this out fast, especially if a Mike linebacker or Sam stays home and spies the backfield. Watch for a user controlled defender staying in the box or shading toward the running back pre snap, since that is a sign the defense is anticipating the screen and will blow it up for a loss. Cover 2 or Cover 3 zone shells with linebackers keeping shallow depth and eyes on the backfield are the hardest shells to execute this against, so avoid calling it into a defense that has shown discipline against screens already in the game.

Usage Tips

Call this play when you see linebackers creeping toward the line pre snap or a defensive coordinator that has been bringing pressure on early downs. Use it as a changeup after running Inside Zone or Outside Zone a few times so the defense keys run action and bites on the play fake blocking. Best on early down and distance like first and ten or second and short where defenses are more likely to sell out on the run or blitz. If you see man coverage with blitzers crashing off the edge, this play punishes that aggression by getting the ball out fast before the rush arrives. Pair it in a sequence with HB Draw and RPO Read Bubble to keep defenders guessing between inside handoffs, quick game RPO throws, and the screen release, which forces linebackers to hesitate on every snap. Snap the ball quickly once you diagnose blitz to avoid the play getting blown up before blockers get set.

Other Plays in Trio Offset Wk