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Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Singleback Y Trips (11 personnel) shows three receivers to the trips side with the two inside receivers clearing out on drag routes across the middle and the outside trips receiver running a deep corner route to pull the coverage vertically, while the backside single receiver runs a comeback route. The offensive line shows pass set initially before releasing to get out in front of the HB, who slips out to the flat behind the trips formation as the screen target. This is a classic screen pass designed to bait an aggressive pass rush and beat man pressure or blitz-heavy zone looks, with the primary read being the HB out of the backfield as soon as the linemen get their blocks set up in space.
Defensive Reads
Key on the defensive line and outside linebackers immediately after the snap, since disciplined edge defenders who stay home and read screen action can blow this up before the blockers set up. Watch for a user-controlled defender spying the HB or sitting in the flat, as that lurk threat is the single biggest counter to this concept. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with deep safeties, the trips side routes will hold defenders long enough for the screen to develop, but if you see Cover 2 Man with linebackers reading the backfield, expect the play to get sniffed out. Man coverage with blitz packages is where this play thrives, since blitzing defenders take themselves out of the screen passing lane by rushing upfield. Zone blitzes that drop a defensive lineman into a shallow zone near the line of scrimmage are the toughest defensive answer, since that defender sits right in the screen's throwing lane.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or after you have shown a heavy dropback passing tendency to set up the screen against an aggressive pass rush. Pre-snap, look for blitz indicators like linebackers creeping to the line or safeties rotating down, since a hot blitz call from the CPU or opponent makes this play deadly. Use the trips side drag and corner routes as decoys to hold linebackers and safeties, buying extra time for your linemen to get out in front of the HB. Hot route the backside comeback receiver into a quick hitch if you need a faster outlet against zone drops that sit underneath. Pair this with HB Draw and HB Dive from the same personnel to keep the defense guessing between inside run action and the screen bailout, since both looks start with similar backfield action.
