Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Slants Middle out of Shotgun Split Offset features both outside receivers running slant routes that converge over the middle, with one receiver breaking underneath the other on a delayed angle route into the flat. The three underneath receivers work a horizontal stretch while the back stays in to help protect against the blitz. This is a man beater concept designed to create natural traffic and rubs against man coverage, with the primary read starting on the near-side slant before working to the crossing slant on the opposite hash.
Defensive Reads
Read the flow of the middle linebacker at the snap, if he sinks into the throwing lane on the near slant it signals zone coverage and you should reset to the opposite slant. Watch for user defenders lurking in the shallow crossing lane, this route combo is vulnerable to a spy or a linebacker sitting the slant window in Cover 3. Identify if the corners are playing off coverage pre-snap, since off coverage gives the defense time to close on the slants and take away the initial separation. Post-snap, key any blitz packages sending extra rushers off the edge, the quick slant timing is designed to beat the blitz before pressure arrives. This concept struggles against Cover 2 with hard-flowing safeties who can undercut the middle slants before the ball arrives.
Usage Tips
Check the pre-snap alignment of the cornerbacks, if they are pressed up in man coverage this play is money because the slants create instant separation off the release.
Use the hot route to convert the shallow angle route into a flat route if you see a linebacker sitting in that throwing lane against zone coverage.
This play hits fastest against Cover 1 and Cover 3 man variants since the underneath crossers create natural picks that user defenders struggle to fight through.
Pair this with Y Shallow Cross or Mesh from the same set to keep defenses guessing between quick slant combos and deeper crossing patterns on early downs.
Best called on second and short or third and short where the quick timing throw guarantees positive yardage before the pocket collapses.
