Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Quick Slants out of Empty HB Wide sends both outside receivers on slant routes that break inside at a shallow depth, while the inside receiver to the strong side runs a quick out and the slot receiver next to the formation runs a short option route underneath. The empty backfield keeps five in the route concept with no blocking assignment beyond the offensive line in max protect, making this a pure quick-game passer. This is a man beater designed to attack off coverage and press man with instant separation on the slant breaks, and the primary read progression starts with the two slants working outside-in before checking down to the underneath option route if the slants are jumped.
Defensive Reads
Check safety depth before the snap, two high shells with soft corner leverage favor sitting on the slants with a user defender. Watch for press man corners since the slant routes are built to beat press with a quick inside release and immediate separation. Identify if linebackers are dropping into the shallow zone underneath, as a sunk middle linebacker can jump the option route and blow up the checkdown. Look for blitz packages sending extra rushers since the empty formation has no back to chip, and a fast nano blitz can force a throwaway before the slants develop. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender to either side can undercut the slant break, so key on flat defenders sitting flat footed at the snap.
Usage Tips
Get the ball out fast since there is no run action and the empty look invites pressure looks and blitzes.
Pre-snap, look for cornerbacks in press or tight man alignment since the slant routes create instant separation against man coverage.
If the defense shows two high safeties with soft corners, expect the underneath option route or quick out to be the higher percentage read against zone drops.
Hot route the backside slant into a fade or speed out if you see a corner sitting hard on that side to prevent a jump route interception.
Pair this play with Stick or Curl Flats from the same set so the defense has to respect both the quick slant game and the flood concepts, keeping linebackers honest on play to play calls.
