Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 11 playbooks
Breakdown
Slot Outs lines up in Shotgun Spread Y-Slot with 11 personnel, showing four vertical or breaking routes on the right and a two man stick concept on the left. The backside receiver runs a flat route while the outside receiver clears vertically, and on the strong side the two inside receivers break outward on out routes while the outside receiver stems up the seam before breaking to the corner. This is primarily a man beater, since the hard out breaks create instant separation against man coverage on the outside, and the crossing outside vertical stresses zone defenders who try to sink under the corner break. The primary read progression starts with the strong side out routes for a quick timing throw, then works to the corner breaking route if the underneath defenders jump the outs, with the backside flat as a checkdown against pressure.
Defensive Reads
Watch cornerback depth presnap, since tight man coverage on the slot receivers is the most vulnerable shell against the out breaking routes. Key the flow of the underneath linebackers after the snap, since a linebacker sinking too deep opens the out route window immediately. Look for a user controlled defender lurking near the strong side hash, since a smart user can jump the out route and bait an interception. Two deep safety shells with soft corners take away the explosive corner breaking route and force the checkdown to the backside flat. Disguised zone blitzes with a corner sitting outside can undercut the out routes, so recognize five or six man pressure looks before committing to the strong side read.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify if the corner is playing tight man or sitting off in a zone shell, since the out routes need a hard break window against man to avoid getting jumped.
If you see two high safeties, target the strong side out routes immediately before the underneath defenders can flow to the flat.
Use a hot route to speed up the out breaking receiver into a quick out if you are facing a blitz look, this turns the play into a fast rhythm throw.
Pair this play with Curls or Stick N Nod from the same set so defenses cannot sit on the out breaking window after seeing it once.
Best called on second and short to second and medium, since the timing throw window closes quickly against disguised zone blitzes.
Combine with Digs H Option later in a drive to attack the same landmarks with a different angle once the defense adjusts to the outs.
