Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 17 playbooks
Breakdown
Double Slant lines up out of Shotgun Normal Y Off Close with 11 personnel, showing two receivers to the boundary side running vertical releases that break upfield outside while the isolated X to the field runs a quick slant, backed by an underneath crosser and a flat route from the backfield. The two outside verticals on the strong side stress the deep half while the slant and flat combo underneath attacks the vacated middle and edge, making this a classic man beater built to punish outside leverage and pick on a slot corner or nickel in man coverage. Primary read progression starts with the field slant working inside for a quick rhythm throw, then works to the flat route as the underneath check-down, and finally climbs to the two verticals if the defense shows single high or blows a coverage rotation.
Defensive Reads
Watch the slot corner and nickel defender pre-snap, if they are playing tight man technique on the inside receivers this play wins quickly on the slant. Key the flat defender post-snap, if a linebacker or safety sinks late to cover the flat, the quarterback can hit the slant behind him for an easy pickup. Identify single high safety shells before the snap, since this leaves the two vertical routes on the strong side matched up favorably against outside corners in man coverage. Beware of a user controlled lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, this play struggles against a cover 3 sink or cover 4 look where an underneath defender can jump the slant route. Look for disguised blitzes from the weak side, since Double Slant has minimal protection help outside of the running back check and can get exposed against overload pressure.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check for man coverage indicators like a corner shaded outside on the slant receiver, since this play is designed to exploit inside leverage with the quick slant.
If the defense shows two deep safeties, hot route the outside vertical receivers into deeper routes to stretch the seams, or check the ball down quickly to the flat before the underneath defenders can react.
This play shines on third and short to third and medium because the slant and flat combo gives you a fast, high percentage completion window before the pocket collapses.
Pair Double Slant with RPO Peek Stick or RPO Glance Post from the same set to keep linebackers honest, since both plays use similar backfield action but attack different levels of the defense.
Use quick presnap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into showing blitz, then rely on the slant as your immediate answer against a nano blitz or five man pressure look.
