Playbooks
Double Slants out of Shotgun 4WR Pack Trips is a quick-hitting man beater built on horizontal stretch, sending slant routes from the trips side to attack the underneath throwing lanes before pressure arrives. The backside receiver runs a complementary route to hold the single defender, while the trips side creates a natural pick or rub against man coverage on the two slants. Primary read progression starts with the inside slant out of the trips bunch, working to the outside slant if the linebacker or nickel jumps the shorter route, and the QB should be ready to get the ball out within a one or two step drop read.
Watch for the nickel or slot corner playing outside leverage on the trips side, this tells you they expect the slant and will try to jump the route, so be ready to hit the second slant behind them. Key the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sits shallow in a hook zone he can undercut both slants and take away the entire quick game read. Identify press man coverage on the backside single receiver before the snap, since a jam there can delay the timing of your outlet option if the trips side is covered. Look for a user controlled defender flashing down into the throwing lane immediately after the snap, this is a common lurk technique used to bait the quick slant throw. Recognize blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge, since the quick game timing of Double Slants is designed to beat pressure before it arrives, making it a strong answer to nano blitzes.
Use this play on early downs or third and short since the routes develop fast and give the quarterback a quick answer against blitz pressure.
Check the pre-snap alignment of the slot defenders on the trips side, if they are lined up tight in man coverage the natural rub from the two slants will spring one of them open almost immediately.
Hot route the backside single receiver into a quick out or speed out if you see press man across from him, this gives you a two way go and forces the defense to declare coverage responsibility.
Pair this play with Stick X-slant or Slot Out from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick game concepts, since the formation and initial release look identical.
Against zone shells, slide protection with the RB and use the slants as a way to sit down in the soft spot between the underneath zone defenders rather than trying to sprint through traffic.