Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Slants out of Pistol Weak (21 personnel) sends both outside receivers on quick slants breaking to the middle of the field while the inside slot man runs a wheel route from the flat up the sideline. On the backside, the TE runs a deep dig/crossing route breaking away from the play side, giving the quarterback a three level stretch. This is primarily a man beater since the slants and wheel combo create natural rub and pick action against man defenders, and the quick timing on the slants also gives it zone beating quality underneath. Primary read progression starts with the near side slant, works to the backside dig or crosser if the shallow window is clogged, and comes back to the wheel route as a man beating checkdown against overaggressive corners.
Defensive Reads
Presnap check safety depth, if both safeties are deep and corners are pressed at the line this is a strong indicator of man coverage which the slant and wheel combo exploits. Watch the slot cornerback or nickel defender at the snap, if he jumps the slant route hard the wheel behind him will be wide open for a explosive gain. Against zone coverage look for linebackers sitting in short hook zones, if they sink under the slants quickly the backside dig or crosser becomes the better answer. Beware of a nano blitz or edge pressure package since the quick timing of the slants can still get the ball out, but a well timed interior blitz can collapse the pocket before the QB reads the wheel. Cover 3 with an aggressive underneath robber can jump the inside slant, so if you see a defender sitting in the middle of the field presnap be ready to work the backside route instead.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify if the defense is showing man coverage with corners lined up tight and no safety help over the slot, that is your green light to trust the slant to wheel combo.
Hot route the backside TE into a deeper option or drag if you are facing a heavy zone shell to give yourself a true zone beater underneath the linebackers.
Use this play on second and short or third and short since the quick breaking slants get the ball out fast and beat blitzes before they develop.
Pair this with Curls or PA Comebacks from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick game and deeper concepts, since the receiver alignment looks identical presnap.
Watch the wheel route closely against man coverage, if the slot defender bites on the slant fake the wheel can spring wide open for a big gain down the sideline.
