Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Trips Slots Close is a designed screen pass that sells a quick throw to the flat while the running back slips out and sets up behind the offensive line for a delayed release. The three trips receivers push vertically upfield to clear out cornerbacks and any underneath zone defenders, while the tight end runs an in breaking route across the middle to occupy linebackers and hold the second level. The primary read is the HB out of the backfield once the line sets up its screen wall, with the vertical routes on the trips side acting purely as clear out concepts to open passing lanes for the screen to develop.
Defensive Reads
As the defense, key on the offensive line at the snap, if guards or tackles release upfield immediately instead of engaging, that is a screen tell for HB Slip Screen. Spy your middle linebacker or keep a defender in a short zone drop instead of blitzing to sit on the screen before it develops. User a linebacker and stay patient in the throwing lane rather than biting on the vertical route fakes from the trips side. Cover two and cover three shells with disciplined zone drops can bait the quarterback into throwing the screen into a numbers disadvantage if you rally defenders quickly. Man coverage with an unblocked edge defender or a linebacker who reads the mesh point immediately is the fastest way to blow this play up for a loss.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see linebackers creeping up pre-snap or showing blitz looks, since aggressive defensive linemen and blitzing backers will run themselves out of the play. Use it on early downs or after a big pass play to slow down an overly aggressive pass rush and reset the tempo. Watch the flat defender and any user controlled linebacker at the snap, if they sit and read the backfield instead of covering the vertical routes, hold the ball one extra beat before releasing to the HB. Pair this with 45 Quick Base or RNS Hitches in the same set to keep the defense honest on quick game concepts before dialing up the screen. Avoid calling this against disciplined zone teams that keep linebackers at home, since spy heavy defenses and scrape exchange linebackers can blow this up before the screen sets.
