Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Trio Offset shows two vertical clear-out routes from the offset receivers up top and a third vertical to flat route combo on the other side, all designed to pull underneath defenders and linebackers away from the backfield. The offensive line sets up a wall block in front while the HB slips out to the flat, releasing after a brief chip and running the red arrow route as the primary target. This is a screen play built to beat aggressive man pressure and overloaded blitz packages, with the HB check-down as the number one read from snap to catch.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a defensive lineman who stays home instead of rushing upfield, since that is the first sign the user has diagnosed the screen. Key on linebacker depth at the snap, if they sink into shallow zone drops instead of flowing to the ball, the screen lane collapses quickly. Man coverage with aggressive corner press at the line is the ideal shell to attack since it pulls defenders away from the HB release point. Zone shells with a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle can jump the screen route, so check for a defender hovering near the line of scrimmage post-snap before committing to the throw. Heavy blitz packages that send extra rushers up field are the best matchup since the screen naturally voids the area those blitzers vacate.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see linebackers creeping toward the line of scrimmage or a pre-snap blitz indicator like a defender walking up into the A or B gap. Use it on early downs or in obvious passing situations where the defense expects a drop back shot play, since the vertical routes sell the deep pass and freeze the secondary. Let the wall blockers set up before releasing the HB, do not rush the throw or you will throw into your own lineman. Pair this with Verticals or Flanker Dig from the same Trio Offset set earlier in a series so the defense respects the deep threat and bites harder on the screen action. Avoid calling this against disciplined zone teams that spy the backfield or against defenses running consistent delayed blitzes, since defensive linemen can read screen and sit.
