Playbooks
HB Slip Screen out of Singleback F Wing Slot is a designed hb screen that gets your running back leaking out to the flat while the offensive line initially shows pass protection before releasing to set up blockers in front. This is a blitz beater and zone beater at its core, punishing aggressive user blitzes and man coverage that sends extra rushers upfield past the line of scrimmage. The primary read is simple: the QB looks off the underneath defenders for a beat, then delivers to the HB as he settles behind his blocking wall, with the progression essentially being one read to the backfield rather than a traditional route tree.
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing Cover 0 or Cover 1 man with an all out blitz look, since that is the ideal shell for this screen to hit big because blockers get numbers advantage in space. Watch for a defensive lineman with screen recognition ratings who stays home instead of rushing, as a smart AI or user controlled lineman sitting in the backfield can blow this play up immediately. Post-snap, track any user controlled linebacker who reads the QB eyes and sinks into a shallow zone lurk, since that defender can jump the throwing lane and either bat down the pass or take it for a pick six. Zone coverages like Cover 2 or Cover 3 with disciplined linebackers sitting underneath in their zone drops are the toughest shells to beat with this concept, since they keep contain and do not overcommit to the rush. If the defense shows a spy on the HB pre-snap or motions a linebacker to shadow the backfield, expect this concept to be covered and consider an audible into HB Draw or TE Spot instead.
Call this play when you see the defense showing pressure pre-snap, especially overload blitzes or nano blitz packages that crash the edge, since the screen deploys behind the rush and punishes overaggressive defensive linemen.
Avoid throwing this into a spy or a defender sitting flat footed near the line, since those defenders can sniff out the screen and jump the throw for a big loss.
Use play action or HB Dive and HB Power O earlier in a series to get the defense keying run fits, then dial up HB Slip Screen to capitalize on linebackers flowing hard downhill.
Third and long or second and medium are ideal down and distance spots since defenses often bring pressure expecting a dropback pass, walking right into the screen concept.
Hot route your outside receivers into blocking assignments or vertical clear outs if you want to remove a defender from the screen lane, and pair this call in a sequence with Bubble Screen to keep defenses guessing between perimeter and backfield screen concepts.