Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Singleback Doubles Y Open shows three receivers pushing vertical or dragging across to occupy the second and third level defenders while the offensive line sets up to release and wall off for the running back. The lone receiver at the bottom runs a shallow drag away from the screen side, drawing coverage away from the HB in the flat. This is a screen pass designed to bait blitz-heavy man and zone pressure alike, with the primary read being an automatic dump to the HB once the line releases, and the true progression is getting the ball in the back's hands quickly and letting the blocking develop in space.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage with blitz packages gets exposed hardest here since defenders are turned away from the screen and losing width. Watch for a spy linebacker or a defender sitting in the shallow flat, that is the lurk that jumps the screen before it develops. Zone coverages with active linebackers who stay square and read the backfield can trigger fast and blow up the screen for a loss. Check post-snap for edge defenders crashing hard upfield, that is exactly the leverage this screen is designed to exploit. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with disciplined linebacker drops, the underneath defenders can rally quickly and limit the play to minimal gain.
Usage Tips
Call this against defenses showing pressure or overload blitzes since the extra rushers only speed up the screen setup.
Watch pre-snap for stacked boxes or blitz alignments on the strong side, that tells you the screen has room to develop.
Use the vertical routes from the two receivers on the left as clock-killers to hold safeties and linebackers deep, buying blocking time for the HB.
Pair this with HB Draw and QB Draw in the same set to keep defenders honest against the interior run threat before dialing up the screen.
Throw the ball as soon as the RB turns upfield, do not wait for blockers to fully seal since timing wins this rep against fast-flowing linebackers.
