Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Double Slants out of Shotgun Flex Y Off lines up with three receivers to the left and the Y off tight end plus a flanker to the right. Both outside receivers on the left run slants that cross the middle of the field, while the tight end runs a shallow slant of his own and the right side receiver runs a deep out to clear space along the sideline. This is a classic man beater built on rub and pick concepts, with the slants creating natural traffic against man coverage, and the primary read progression starts with the near slant working inside, then works to the tight end's slant underneath before checking the deep out as the outlet against off coverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch the cornerbacks' press alignment before the snap, tight man coverage on the outside receivers signals the slants will win quickly. Key the middle linebacker's depth, if he sits shallow he can jump the crossing slants and blow up the primary read. Post-snap, identify any user-controlled defender flowing toward the trafficked middle of the field, that lurk threat is the biggest risk to this concept. Zone shells like Cover 2 or Cover 3 with a hard flat defender can undercut the tight end's slant, forcing the quarterback to hold the ball longer. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge are dangerous here since the quick slants take a beat to develop, so recognize pressure looks pre-snap and be ready to throw in rhythm.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hot route check to confirm if the defense is showing man or zone before the slants develop.
Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells, drag your read to the tight end's slant since the underneath zone defenders will sit on the outside slants.
This play excels on 2nd and short to 2nd and medium when defenses are more likely to play tight man coverage expecting a run.
Pair Double Slants with Four Verticals or PA Seam Digs from the same set to keep linebackers and safeties honest against the quick slant combo.
If the user drops a linebacker into a lurk spot on the crossing slants, immediately reset to the deep out on the right for a chunk gain.
