Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Slants out of Shotgun Normal Off Close Wk is a quick-hitting man beater built on three slant routes crossing underneath with a vertical release from the inside slot. The outside receiver runs a slant that clears out for the tight end breaking hard inside on a shallow slant, while the slot receiver to the same side pushes vertical up the seam as a clock-beater against off coverage. The backside receiver runs a slant to the opposite flat, giving the quarterback a two-way go with the running back releasing to a check down underneath. The primary read starts with the tight end's inside slant, progresses to the vertical seam route from the slot, then works to the backside slant if the defense flows hard to the strong side.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the cornerbacks are playing tight man press or sitting off, tight press invites the slant and rub combo to work instantly. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, shallow linebackers can jump the tight end's inside slant and undercut the throw. Cover 3 with a hard flowing linebacker to the strong side can take away the seam route, forcing the quarterback to the backside slant. User the underneath defender to sit on the slant crossing pattern and bait the quarterback into a pick six if he stares down his first read. Man coverage with no safety help over the top gets exposed by the seam route, so play two deep safeties to prevent an explosive completion.
Usage Tips
Use this against man coverage where the slant angles create natural rub picks that free up the tight end underneath.
Check the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two high safeties this play works best since the seam route can split the coverage.
Hot route the running back into a flat route on the backside if you expect a blitz, giving your quarterback an outlet against pressure.
Best called on early downs or third and short since the quick slant timing gets the ball out before the pocket collapses.
Pair this with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Zone Peek in the same set to keep defenses honest on run fits while showing the same initial route concept.
