Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Quick Slants from Empty Trey aligns five receivers wide with no back in the backfield, spreading the defense horizontally. The two receivers on the trey side run a slant/flat combo, the boundary receiver runs an inside slant, and both slot receivers work quick crossing routes underneath while the far outside receiver runs a comeback. This is a man beater built for a quick timing throw, with the primary read starting on the slant from the trey side and progressing to the crossing routes underneath if the initial window is closed.
Defensive Reads
Watch for man coverage indicators like corners lined up in press or with inside shade, since the slant combo attacks trail technique immediately. Identify Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone drops by reading the flat defender, if he sinks late the crossing routes underneath will sit in the soft spot. Key the slot defenders at the snap, a user controlled lurk defender sitting in the shallow crossing lane can jump the underneath routes and bait a pick six. Look for blitz packages sending extra rushers off the edge, since this play is designed to get the ball out fast and beat pressure before it arrives. Against Cover 2 or Tampa 2, the comeback route on the backside becomes the primary answer since the slants can get squeezed by the underneath zone defenders.
Usage Tips
Get the ball out on time since every route breaks within two to three steps and the design is built to punish blitzes before they arrive.
Check the leverage of the corner over your primary slant receiver pre-snap, if he is playing outside shade the slant window opens immediately.
Use hot routes to convert the comeback route into a hitch against soft zone if you see a two high shell rolling down late.
Pair this call with Curls Y-Shake or Four Verticals from the same set to keep the defense honest on shallow versus deep zone drops.
Best used on 3rd and short to 3rd and medium since the quick game gives you a built in answer against both blitz and zone without needing a long developing route.
