Playbooks

Slant Flat

Shotgun·Normal Y Off·11
FlatSlantSlant FlatPass PlayCover 3 BeaterCover 4 Beater
Play diagram for Slant Flat from Shotgun Normal Y Off in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

Slant Flat out of Shotgun Normal Y Off sends the backside receiver on a slant into the middle of the field while the backside slot runs a flat route underneath, creating a natural slant flat combo on that side. The frontside receivers run a deep crossing route and an out breaking route to occupy the far side of the field and clear space, while the RB stays in to check release and offer a flare option near the line. This is primarily a man beater that punishes press or trail technique on the slant side, but the quick slant flat combo also gives you a built in answer versus Cover 3 and Cover 4 zone drops since it attacks the flat defender and hook defender simultaneously, with the primary read progression going flat first for the quick throw then slant if the underneath defender jumps outside.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, check corner depth on the slant side, a corner playing off coverage signals zone and favors the flat throw first. Watch the flat defender at the snap, if he widens hard to the flat receiver the window closes and you should reset to the slant. Identify any nickel or slot defender showing blitz alignment before the snap, since a hot blitz can undercut the flat route and force an immediate hitch to the slant. Look for a hook or curl zone defender sitting too deep, that opens a throwing lane for the slant behind him but in front of the safety. Man coverage with no safety help over the slant side is the biggest tell that this play wins quickly, while a two high safety Cover 4 shell with disciplined underneath defenders is what shuts this concept down.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to see if the flat defender widens or stays put, that tells you whether the flat throw is there immediately.

Against man coverage look for the slant to win quickly if the defender is playing outside shade, this is a rhythm throw that should come out fast.

Against zone shells with a hook defender sitting inside, read the flat route first since the underneath defender cannot cover both the slant window and the flat at the same time.

Pair this play with Double Slants or Curls Lead Swing in the same set to keep defenders guessing on the same quick game concepts without changing your formation tendencies.

Best called on early downs or third and short since the flat and slant both develop fast and give you a safe high percentage completion against most blitz looks.

Other Plays in Normal Y Off