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Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Slot Fade lines up out of Shotgun Normal Y Off Wk with three receivers to the field. The backside X runs a deep vertical bender up the sideline while the TE lined up behind him runs a quick pivot out to occupy the flat defender. To the play side, the slot receiver releases outside for a fade to the corner while the outside X on that side runs a shallow flat/arrow route underneath, creating a natural high low stretch on the boundary corner. The primary read is the slot fade one on one against man coverage, working back to the backside vertical if the deep half safety cheats over.
Defensive Reads
Watch the slot cornerback pre-snap, if he is playing off man with outside leverage, the fade route wins on the upfield jump ball look. Identify single high safety shells, since this leaves the fade in a true one on one situation with no deep help over the top. Post-snap, key the flat defender's reaction to the underneath route on the fade side, if he sinks too deep it opens a throwing lane for the low route instead. Beware of two high shell coverages like Cover 2 or Cover 4, since the deep half or deep quarter defender can sit on top of the fade and take away the vertical shot. Watch for a user controlled defender dropping into a lurk position over the slot, since aggressive users will jump the fade route if they read the release early.
Usage Tips
Use this against single high safety looks or press man coverage on the slot defender to give your fade route a clean release and a one on one jump ball opportunity.
Pre-snap, check the corner over the slot receiver, if he is aligned tight and outside leverage, hot route the fade to a slant to counter the leverage advantage.
This play pairs well with Double Slants or Exit Double Slants out of the same formation since the initial release looks similar and forces the defense to respect both quick game and vertical shots.
On third and long, throw the backside vertical if the safety rotates hard to the fade side, since that route benefits from a natural conflict created by the flat route underneath it.
Combine with Four Verticals in your play-calling sequence to condition the defense to widen underneath coverage, then hit the slot fade once the corner starts sitting on shorter routes.
