Playbooks

Duo Slot Open

Shotgun·20

At a Glance

FormationShotgun

Personnel

202 RB · 0 TE · 3 WR

Plays19

In 4 playbooks

Redskins OffenseOffense Shotgun OffenseOffense Spread Classic NFL Live Redskins OffenseOffense

Overview

Duo Slot Open is the Shotgun set built for coordinators who want two backs on the field without giving up a spread look. It runs 20 personnel: two running backs, three wide receivers and no tight end. Most Shotgun sets use 11 personnel, which forces the defense to account for a tight end as a blocker. Duo Slot Open replaces that player with a second back who can serve as a pitch man, a lead blocker or a matchup weapon. The open alignment with a slot receiver inside stretches the field horizontally. The extra back gives the play call menu option and RPO concepts that 11 personnel sets rarely carry.

The matchup advantage comes from how defenses respond to 20 personnel. If the opponent stays in base to handle the two backs, a linebacker or safety often ends up covering a running back on swing, wheel and flat routes. That is a mismatch you can target with HB Swing, Spot Lead Swing and RPO Alert Spot Wheel. If the defense goes to nickel or dime to match the three receivers, Inside Zone, Speed Option and Triple Option Rt punish the lighter box with numbers at the point of attack.

The set also carries a deep play-action package. PA Rollout, PA Rollout Smash, PA Rollout Out-N-Up, PA Flood, PA Fin, PA Slot Post and PA Comebacks all build off the run and option threat. Sprintout Flood and PA Flood create three-level stretches to the boundary. Levels and the RPO Alert family give you quick-game answers when the defense sits on the run.

Strengths

The two-back personnel creates natural mismatches: HB Swing, Spot Lead Swing and RPO Alert Spot Wheel get a running back matched on a linebacker in space, one of the most reliable man beaters in the game.
Triple Option Rt and Speed Option put the edge defender in conflict every snap. Against Cover 0 or Cover 1 with a spinning safety, reading the unblocked defender creates numbers advantages that user-controlled defenders struggle to cover.
The play-action menu is deep and varied. PA Rollout Smash, PA Flood and Sprintout Flood give you corner, out and flat stretches that shred Cover 3 and Cover 4 once your run game forces the flat defender to trigger downhill.
The RPO Alert family (Bubble, Hitches, Spot Wheel) and RPO Read HB Flat let you punish loaded boxes and aggressive linebackers with quick throws. You keep the play on schedule without calling a pure pass.
Levels and PA Slot Post attack the middle of the field from the slot. They give you a Cover 2 and Tampa 2 beater, and they win when the hook defender bites on the run fake.

Weaknesses

With no tight end and a second back often releasing on routes, pass protection is thin. Nano blitzes and overloads off the edge get home fast, especially on the longer-developing PA Rollout Out-N-Up and PA Comebacks.
Rollouts and sprintouts cut the field in half. A user-controlled defender who reads the boot direction and a contain player on the backside can squeeze your options to one or two reads.
Option plays depend heavily on the QB's speed and ball security. Opponents who put a spy on the QB or scrape the linebacker to the pitch can create negative plays and fumbles.
Running back route running and catching ratings are usually below receiver levels. Sticky man coverage, or a user robbing the flat, can take away the swing and wheel game that this set relies on.
The 20 personnel tendency is readable. Opponents who see this set often expect run or play-action, so they sit in Cover 3 Buzz or match coverage that eats up rollout concepts.

Usage Tips

Pre-snap, count the box. With six or fewer defenders against your 20 personnel, check to Inside Zone or Speed Option. With seven or more, work the RPO Alert Bubble or RPO Alert Hitches to the numbers-advantage side.

On early downs, establish Inside Zone and Triple Option Rt so the flat and hook defenders start triggering. Then come back with PA Rollout Smash or PA Flood on 2nd and short for chunk gains off the same look.

When you identify man coverage or Cover 0 pressure, go to HB Swing or Spot Lead Swing. Consider a hot route on the second back to a slant or wheel so you attack the linebacker's leverage before the blitz arrives.

Against Cover 2 and Tampa 2 shells, call Levels or PA Slot Post. Read the Mike linebacker's drop: throw the dig or post if he carries vertical, and hit the underneath route if he sits.

In the red zone and on 3rd and medium, Sprintout Flood and RPO Alert Spot Wheel create high-low reads on a single defender. Slide protection toward the rollout side to buy time against edge pressure.