Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Wing Slot Offset sends four vertical routes from the two receivers and two tight ends to clear out the underneath defenders and drag the linebackers and safeties deep, while the halfback slips out to the flat behind a wall of blockers. The offensive line and the extra blocker release to set up a screen wall for the RB, who runs a shallow angle route to the flat as the outlet. This is a classic screen play designed to counter aggressive pass rushes and blitz-heavy man coverage looks, with the primary read progression being the halfback in the flat first and the four verticals only in play if the defense sits back in a soft zone and takes away the screen entirely.
Defensive Reads
Key the linebacker depth at the snap: if they are creeping toward the line of scrimmage in blitz posture, that confirms the slip screen will have room to develop before defenders react. Watch for a defensive lineman or edge rusher assigned to spy or drop into a screen shadow technique, since this is the primary counter to the slip screen and can blow it up for a loss. Identify if the defense is in man coverage across the board with no underneath zone help, which is the ideal shell for this play to hit big. Look for a user-controlled defender sitting at the second level reading the backfield instead of covering a receiver, since that lurking eye can jump the screen route and turn it into a turnover. If the defense shows a two-high safety zone shell with linebackers sinking into passing lanes, expect the screen to get sniffed out and consider audibling to one of the vertical routes instead.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see the defense showing blitz or heavy man pressure pre-snap since the four vertical routes will occupy man defenders and open up running room for the screen.
Watch the defensive line alignment before the snap: if the defensive ends are crashing hard off the edge or the interior is stacked for an inside blitz, the slip screen exploits the vacated space perfectly.
Use this play on early downs or in obvious blitz downs like third and long when defenses commit extra rushers, since the screen negates pass rush entirely.
Pair this with Four Verticals or PA Double Post from the same set to condition the defense into respecting the deep shots, which sets up the slip screen as a change of pace to slow down aggressive user blitzers.
Avoid calling this against zone-heavy defenses with linebackers sitting underneath, since spot droppers and lurking defenders can jump the screen before the blockers get set.
