Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Strong I Close Flex is a designed screen pass that slips the running back out to the flat behind a wall of blockers while both outside receivers push vertical to clear out the underneath defenders. The offensive line and fullback release downfield to set up a screen wall, and the TE runs a corner route to hold the safety and stretch the deep zone. This is a screen play built to counter aggressive pass rushes and man coverage pressure, with the primary read being the HB in the flat as the first and only progression once the screen develops.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive ends and outside linebackers crashing hard off the edge, since that aggressive pursuit is exactly what this screen is designed to exploit. If the defense shows Cover 0 or man blitz pre-snap, expect the screen to hit big because there is no underneath zone defender sitting on the flat. User-controlled defenders who spy the backfield or sit at the line of scrimmage can jump the screen and blow it up before the wall forms, so be ready to check out of it if you see a spy alignment. Zone coverages with linebackers sitting short, like Cover 2 or Cover 3 with active underneath defenders, take away the flat and force the HB to either bounce it outside or eat a loss. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they are shallow and reading the backfield, they can undercut the screen before the blockers get out in front.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see man coverage or a blitz look pre-snap, since the RB slipping out underneath a heavy rush is the whole point of the concept.
Let the screen develop fully before throwing it, do not rush the pass or you will throw it into the blockers before the wall sets up.
Use the vertical releases from the two outside WRs to hold cornerbacks and safeties deep, which opens up the flat for the HB.
Sequence this play after running FB Dive or Counter Weak from the same Strong I Close Flex set to bait linebackers into crashing downhill, then hit the slip screen to punish overaggressive run fits.
Best used on early downs or in obvious blitz-heavy situations where the defense is selling out to get after the quarterback.
