Playbooks

Slant Flat

Shotgun·Doubles Offset·11
FlatSlantSlant FlatPass PlayCover 3 BeaterCover 4 Beater
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Play diagram for Slant Flat from Shotgun Doubles Offset in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Shotgun Mix

Breakdown

Slant Flat out of Shotgun Doubles Offset lines up with a bunched receiver set to the boundary and a slot/wideout combo to the field. To the field side the outside receiver runs a deep crossing route while the slot receiver breaks off a quick slant underneath, and to the boundary the outside receiver runs a slant while the tight end or inside receiver releases to the flat. This is a quick-hitting zone beater that also holds up against man coverage, with the running back staying in to protect and the primary read progression starting on the boundary slant to flat combo before working back to the field side crosser if the underneath defenders squeeze the shorter routes.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing Cover 3 or Cover 4, since both shells leave the slant flat combo underneath as a natural void this play attacks. Watch the flat defender's depth at the snap, if he sits too deep or gets pulled by the crosser, the flat route to the boundary is wide open for an easy pitch and catch. Key the underneath linebacker or nickel defender responsible for the slant window, a lurking user-controlled defender sitting in that throwing lane can jump the route and create a turnover. Against man coverage, look for a jam or trail technique on the slant receiver, if the defender gets a clean rep at the line the timing of the route gets disrupted and the QB needs a hitch in his progression. Cover 2 with aggressive corners squatting on the flat route can shut this down quickly, so be ready to work the field side crosser as a secondary read if the boundary combo is taken away.

Usage Tips

Use this play on early downs or third and short since the slant flat combo gets the ball out fast and picks up easy yardage against soft zone drops.

Check the boundary corner and flat defender before the snap, if the corner is playing off and the flat defender is sitting deep in a zone shell, the slant window opens immediately.

Hot route the running back into a check release or an extra flat route if you see a heavy blitz look, since the RB stays in to protect by default and can be exposed on delayed pressure.

Pair this with Double Slants or Spot Dbl Slant in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect the quick slant window on both sides, then punish overplayed underneath coverage with Four Verticals or X Dagger.

Against man coverage, key the slant receiver's release, if he gets inside leverage cleanly the throw needs to come out on time before an underneath linebacker can undercut the route.

Other Plays in Doubles Offset