Playbooks

Return Double Slants

Shotgun·Normal Y Off·11

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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetNormal Y Off

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Return Double Slants is a "return" motion variant of the standard Double Slants concept, run from Shotgun Normal Y Off with 11 personnel. The formation shifts pre-snap with a receiver returning across the backfield or line, which manipulates linebacker and slot defender leverage before both slot receivers break inside on quick slant routes. This is primarily a man beater, since the return motion forces man defenders to declare and adjust their leverage, opening up natural rubs and picks against man coverage, though it also holds up against soft zone due to the quick horizontal stretch on the underneath defenders. The primary read progression is slant to slant, working from the strongside slant first and quickly working backside if the leverage isn't there, with the running back as a checkdown option in the flat.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify if the defense shifts a defender to shadow the return motion, this confirms man coverage and tells you the slants will have natural picks working in your favor. Check safety alignment before the snap, two high safeties usually mean you can expect Cover 2 or Cover 4 look underneath which slants can beat with timing throws before the corners sink. Post-snap, watch for a user lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, this is the biggest threat to this concept since a good user can jump the inside breaking slant and take it the other way. Look for linebacker depth at the snap, if the linebackers are shallow and quick to sink into passing lanes that signals a Cover 3 or Tampa 2 shell that can squeeze the throwing window on the frontside slant. Beware of a disguised blitz where the slot defender crashes on the snap instead of covering, this can be a nano blitz look designed to jump the quick slant throw before it develops.

Usage Tips

Use the return motion pre-snap to bait man defenders into showing their hand, if the defender follows the motion man tightly you know you are facing man coverage and can throw with confidence into the slants.

Look at the slot cornerback depth before the snap, if he is playing tight with inside shade the slant is going to be contested so prepare to work the backside slant or checkdown instead.

This play is best on early downs and short yardage third downs since the slants develop quickly and give you a high floor completion against both man and zone.

Combine this play with Slants and Slant Flat from the same set to keep the defense guessing on the return motion tendency while still attacking the same shallow window.

Pair with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Zone Peek to give yourself a run-pass conflict look off the same formation, forcing linebackers to hesitate and widen the throwing lanes for the slants.

Get the ball out fast to the first open slant instead of holding the play, since the route depth is shallow and defenders can close throwing lanes quickly if you hesitate.