Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Slip Screen out of Weak I Slot Open shows two outside receivers running vertical clear out routes (one wheeling to the corner, one holding a seam) to pull coverage upfield, while the slot receiver runs a shallow drag away from the screen side. Up front the offensive line shows a slow release screen block, holding then flowing out to set up in front of the halfback, who slips out of the backfield on the red route to the flat as the primary read. This is a classic screen pass designed to bait aggressive man pressure and nano blitzes, with the halfback as the one and only progression read once he catches the ball behind the leaking linemen.
Defensive Reads
Read the defensive line and linebackers immediately after the snap, if they crash hard upfield without containing the backfield you are getting screened. Watch for a user controlled defender spying or sitting flat footed in the middle of the field, that is a lurk read designed to jump this exact route. Corner blitzes and nano blitz packages from the edge are the biggest threat to this play since they get instant penetration before the offensive line can leak out. Zone coverages with linebackers reading run first tend to close throwing lanes quickly, so if you see Tampa 2 or a sim pressure with underneath zone drops, expect this screen to get sniffed out. Man coverage on the outside vertical routes with no underneath help is the green light, it means the flat and shallow drag areas are wide open for the halfback once he turns upfield.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or after showing multiple blitz-heavy plays from Weak I to condition the defense into pinning their ears back. Presnap, look for corners in man press or linebackers crashing downhill, both scream blitz and make this screen deadly. Delay your catch button press slightly so the offensive line has time to get out and set up blocks in front of the halfback, especially against defenses that bring six or more rushers. Pair this with Off Tackle and Power O from the same set so defenses respect inside run action and bite on the play fake tempo, making the screen hit even bigger. Use the two vertical routes as a built in deterrent against zone drops, if the defense sits back in zone the outside verticals occupy deep defenders long enough for the screen to develop underneath.
