Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Slant Spacing is a bunch-based passing concept run out of Pistol Bunch X Nasty with 11 personnel. Off the bunch, one receiver runs a vertical route up the seam, another works an out and up to the flat before climbing, and the third settles underneath into a spacing route while the isolated X receiver on the backside fires off on a quick slant. The backfield stays in to protect, making this a dropback pass designed to attack both zone and man coverage with layered horizontal and vertical stretches. Primary read starts with the backside slant against man coverage, then progresses to the flat and spacing routes underneath before working to the vertical seam as a shot play against soft zone or blown coverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense shows single high (Cover 3 or Cover 1) or two high (Cover 4 or Cover 2) since this concept has answers for both. Watch the flat defender and underneath linebackers, if they widen or sink too fast the spacing route sits in the open window for an easy pitch and catch. Key the backside cornerback's leverage on the X receiver, tight man coverage should trigger an immediate slant throw before the defender can undercut it. Post-snap, track any user controlled defender lurking in the shallow zone or spying the middle, since the spacing and slant combo can get picked off if a rat defender jumps the short routes. Fire zone or match coverage with a linebacker sinking under the seam is the biggest counter, as it can take away the deep vertical shot and force you to live on the underneath completions.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check for single high or two high safeties since this concept punishes both Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with the seam and spacing combo. If the corner over the backside X is playing outside leverage or off man, take the slant immediately for a quick, high percentage completion. Against zone drops, work the underscore spacing route and flat combo to hold linebackers before hitting the vertical seam once safeties bite on the shorter routes. Use this on early downs to set up explosive shots later, then pair it with Corner Out Dig from the same set to attack the defense with a similar bunch look but different vertical stretch. This is a strong third and short to third and medium call because the slant and spacing routes give a built in checkdown while the seam route stays live as a home run shot.
