Playbooks

HB Slip Screen

Shotgun·Wing Stack Wk·12

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetWing Stack Wk

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

In 2 playbooks

Vikings OffenseOffense NFL Live Vikings OffenseOffense

Breakdown

HB Slip Screen out of the Shotgun Wing Stack Wk set is a designed screen play that gets the running back leaking out to the flat behind a wall of blockers while the offensive line sells pass protection before releasing downfield. This is a blitz beater and man beater at its core, punishing aggressive pass rush calls and press man coverage since defenders are flowing away from the throwing lane before the screen develops. The primary read is simple: the quarterback looks off the underneath defenders for a beat, then delivers the ball to the HB in the flat, trusting blockers like the TEs and any pulling linemen to spring him for yards after catch.

Defensive Reads

Identify blitz packages pre-snap, since screens like this thrive against Cover 0 and man pressure looks where defenders are flowing upfield immediately. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they crash hard on run action or drop deep into man coverage on the TEs, the screen lane opens quickly. Beware zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 with a linebacker sitting underneath, since a disciplined user-controlled defender can lurk the screen and blow up the play for a loss. Look for overload blitzes from one side, as those often leave the opposite flat wide open for the HB to work with blockers in space. If the defense shows Cover 2 with corners playing off, the screen can still work but expect a quicker close from cornerbacks reading the backfield.

Usage Tips

Call this on early downs or in obvious blitz-heavy situations like third and short, since heavy pass rush accelerates the screen and leaves defenders out of position.

Check pre-snap for man coverage indicators like a Mike linebacker shading toward the HB or corners in press, both of which signal the screen will hit clean.

Pair HB Slip Screen with Inside Zone and HB Power from this same set so defenses respect the run game and bite on run fits, opening the screen lane once they overcommit.

Sequence this play after RPO Zone Peek or RPO Peek Slant to condition linebackers into fast downhill reactions, then punish that aggression with the delayed screen action.

User the play-side TE or lead blocker manually right after the snap to seal the first defender in the alley, since AI blocking can miss assignments against overload blitzes.

Avoid calling this against zone-heavy shells with deep lurking linebackers, since sitting zone defenders can read the screen and jump the route before the HB gets going.