Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Middle Slant out of Pistol Trips Open sends the backside X on a deep crosser to the far sideline while the trips side runs a slant/flat combo, with the inside slot working a quick slant over the middle and the outside trips receiver bending underneath toward the flat. The HB releases out of the backfield on a flat route to the same side as the X, giving a stacked flat concept underneath the slant. This is a man beater built on natural rub picks from the bunched trips alignment, and the primary read starts with the middle slant before working to the HB flat and backside crosser if the slant is taken away.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a single high safety presnap, since Cover 1 or Cover 3 with man underneath leaves the slant vulnerable to natural rub picks off the trips bunch. Key the flat defender on the HB side immediately after the snap, because if he widens with the flat route the slant window opens up quickly for the quarterback. If linebackers show blitz depth or crash downhill presnap, expect the quarterback to get the ball out fast on the slant or flat before pressure arrives. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties can bracket the backside crosser, so look for a user-controlled safety sinking to that side to take away the deep route. Nano blitzes or A gap pressure can disrupt the timing of the slant read, so mug the box presnap and bring an extra rusher to force an early or errant throw.
Usage Tips
Presnap, identify if the defense is showing man coverage by checking for tight alignment on the trips side, since the natural traffic from the bunch will spring the slant free against man defenders. Hot route the backside X to a hitch or comeback against soft zone shells to give yourself a quick outlet instead of forcing the deep crosser into a squatting corner. Use this play on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short to keep the defense honest before dialing up 61 X Choice or Levels from the same formation for a similar look with a different answer. Against zone coverage, key the flat defender: if he sits on the HB flat route, throw the slant behind him before the linebacker can wall it off. Pair this with PA Deep In later in a series once the defense starts jumping the slant, since the play-action look off the same personnel and formation will freeze aggressive linebackers.
