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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Double Slants out of Shotgun 4WR Trips Strong lines up two receivers on quick slant routes crossing underneath, with the trips side X receiver running a deep clear out to occupy the corner and safety over the top. The lone receiver to the backside runs a deep out that breaks toward the sideline, while the HB stays in to check block or leak out as a safety valve. This is a man beater built to attack natural picks created by the crossing slants, with the deep clear out route stressing zone defenses vertically. The primary read progression starts with the inside slant from the trips bunch, moves to the second slant working opposite, and comes back to the backside deep out if the middle of the field is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Watch for press man coverage on the trips receivers pre snap, since the slant combo is designed to create natural picks that man defenders struggle to fight through. Key the middle linebacker depth at the snap, since a shallow drop or blitz look often signals man coverage underneath that the slants can exploit immediately. If the corner over the deep clear out route bails hard at the snap, it usually signals Cover 3 or Cover 4, meaning the quarterback should look to the slants working underneath instead of the outside out route. Look for a user controlled defender lurking in the shallow crossing area, since a spy or rat defender sitting in that zone can jump the first slant route and create a turnover opportunity. Watch for Cover 2 shells where the corners sit in the flat, since this can clog the backside deep out route and force the quarterback to check down to the slants underneath.
Usage Tips
Pre snap, identify if the defense is showing man or zone by checking corner depth and safety rotation, since this play thrives against man coverage with its natural pick action on the slants.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick hitch or slant if you diagnose Cover 2 or Cover 4, since the deep out can get squeezed by an underneath zone defender sitting in the flat.
Use the deep clear out route on the outside trips receiver to hold the safety and corner, opening up passing lanes for the slants against Cover 3 shells.
Pair this play with Stick X-Slant or Slot Out in your play calling sequence to keep defenders guessing between quick slant combos and out breaking routes from the same formation.
This play works best on early downs or third and short, since the quick developing slants get the ball out fast and beat blitzes before they arrive.
