Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 12 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Shotgun Y Off Trips Nasty is a designed screen pass that gets the HB out to the flat behind a wall of blockers while the three trips receivers push vertical to clear out underneath defenders. The offensive line and TE release upfield to sell pass rush before turning to lead block for the back, with the two outside trips receivers running straight up the field and the inside trips man breaking a corner route across the middle to occupy zone defenders. This is a zone beater at its core, designed to punish teams that drop into soft zone coverage or bring pressure with aggressive down linemen who overrun the pocket, and the primary read is simply to let the screen develop and get the ball to the HB as soon as the blockers set up in front of him.
Defensive Reads
Key on defensive line stunts and delayed blitzes since those rushers can read the screen and blow it up before the blockers get set. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells with linebackers sitting short, this play struggles because those defenders are already positioned to jump the screen lane. Watch for a user-controlled linebacker spying the backfield or sitting in a shallow zone drop, since that defender can read the HB releasing and undercut the throw. Pre-snap, look at defensive tackle alignment; if they are shaded wide or crashing hard off the edge, the screen blockers may not get in front in time. Man coverage on the trips receivers with linebackers blitzing off the edge is the ideal shell to attack, since the vertical routes clear space and the rushers overrun the play.
Usage Tips
Call this play when the defense shows heavy blitz pressure pre-snap since the screen action naturally slips underneath aggressive pass rush lanes.
Watch for man coverage with defenders playing tight on the trips receivers, since the vertical releases will occupy those corners and open up the screen lane immediately.
Snap the ball quickly to the HB once you see your linemen release, and avoid holding the ball too long or fast defensive tackles can blow up the screen before blocks are set.
Pair this play with Inside Zone or Counter Y earlier in a series to get defenders keying on the run fit, then dial up HB Slip Screen to catch linebackers flowing hard downhill.
Use this on early downs in normal offensive sets to keep defenses honest, then mix in Flood HB Swing or Mtn HB Out from the same set to diversify how you get the ball to your HB in space.
