Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 13 playbooks
Breakdown
Slant Flat out of Shotgun Normal Y Off (11 personnel) shows a two-receiver combo to each side with the backside receiver running a slant while the boundary WR runs a slant of his own, and the near slot/TE releasing to the flat underneath it. On the opposite side the outside receiver runs a deep crossing route working from one sideline toward the middle read zone, giving the QB a full-field stretch. This is a quick-hitting man and zone beater built on the classic slant-flat combo, with the primary read starting on the slant to the flat side and progressing to the deep crosser if the underneath window is taken away.
Defensive Reads
Key the flat defender pre-snap, if he sits inside on the slant the flat route is wide open for an easy pitch and catch. Watch linebacker depth at the snap since shallow droppers can jump the flat route and bait a throw into a jam. Against Cover 3, the deep crosser is the counter read once the underneath defenders converge on the slant flat side, so track the middle linebacker's drop. User the underneath defender to lurk the slant route against man beaters, since a well timed jump on the route can bait an interception if the quarterback stares it down. Cover 4 shells can squeeze the slant with the corner playing outside leverage, so check if the safety rotates down before committing to a blitz.
Usage Tips
Diagnose the coverage shell before the snap by checking corner depth, if corners are playing off you can hit the slant immediately for a free conversion.
Use the flat route as your check-down against man coverage since it beats trail technique and off man easily when the slant window closes.
Attack Cover 3 by throwing the deep crosser opposite the slant flat combo since it settles into the vacated middle zone once the flat defender widens.
Pair this play with Curl Flats or Curls Lead Swing in your play calling sequence to keep linebackers guessing between quick flat throws and deeper curl reads.
Best called on early downs or third and short since the slant and flat combo gets the ball out fast and protects against the blitz with a quick release.
