Playbooks

Slants Y Out

Pistol·Spread·10
SlantOutPass Play

Quick Reference

FormationPistol

In 2 playbooks

Franchise Offense SlantsrusOffenseRun And Shoot OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Slants Y Out is a quick game passer out of Pistol Spread 10 personnel that pairs a double slant concept from the outside receivers with the Y receiver breaking on an out route underneath. This is a man beater at its core, since the slants create natural separation against press or man corners while the Y out gives you a quick outlet against off coverage or a hard-charging blitz. The primary read progression starts with the slant to the playside, then works to the Y out if the underneath defender jumps the slant window, making this a rhythm based, get rid of it quick concept rather than a play-action or RPO design.

Defensive Reads

Watch for cornerbacks sitting in soft zone rather than pressing at the line, which signals a zone shell that will make the slant windows tighter and force you to Y out. Key the flat defender or nickel corner: if he jumps the Y out route immediately at the snap, that is a blitz or man alert and you should look slant first without hesitation. Linebacker depth at the snap tells you a lot: shallow linebackers crashing down on run action or sitting in short zones will clog the slant lanes, so throw with anticipation before they can flatten their drop. User controlled defenders lurking in the middle of the field are the biggest threat to this concept, since a smart user can bait the slant throw and jump the route for a pick. Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 match zones, the corner will often sink with the slant, so the Y out becomes the higher percentage throw once you see that outside leverage.

Usage Tips

Fire this play off quickly on third and short or in the red zone where the slants create immediate leverage against man coverage and the Y out gives you a safe checkdown against zone drops.

Identify the coverage shell before the snap: if you see two deep safeties, expect Cover 2 or Cover 4 and lean into the Y out since the slants will run into underneath linebacker help.

Against single high looks with corners in press, trust the slants first since the Y out will likely be squeezed by an extra underneath defender.

Pair this play with Quick Slants or Speed Out in the same set to keep the defense guessing on whether you are attacking underneath or working the flat, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their drops.

Use hot routes to convert the backside slant into a hitch or drag if you diagnose a hard blitz, since the quick timing of this concept is vulnerable to interior pressure if protection is not adjusted.

Other Plays in Spread