Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Slants out of Shotgun Trey Open features a double slant concept from the trips side, with the two outside receivers running slants into the middle of the field while the slot runs a quick out breaking to the boundary. On the backside, the isolated X receiver runs a slant across the field, and the RB releases into a checkdown flare underneath the trips formation. This is a classic man beater built for a quick three step drop, designed to punish inside leverage and press coverage with immediate separation on the slant angles, and the primary read starts with the backside slant before working to the trips side double slant combo.
Defensive Reads
Identify press man coverage on the backside X receiver pre-snap, this is the fastest throw on the play and the slant angle wins immediately against outside leverage corners. Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, a shallow drop into the slant window signals zone coverage and you should look to the trips side double slant instead. Beware of Cover 2 shells with safeties sitting at 10 to 12 yards, the underneath slants can get squeezed by hard flat defenders sitting on the route. Key the Mike linebacker for a delayed blitz off the edge, since this is a quick game concept you have time to reset your protection but must recognize A gap pressure before it collapses the pocket. Look for a user controlled defender lurking in the shallow crossing lanes on the trips side, aggressive slant jumps from a spy or hook defender can bait a turnover if the quarterback does not read the leverage correctly.
Usage Tips
Fire this play against man coverage looks, especially press man from the backside corner since the isolated slant wins instantly on inside release.
Check pre-snap for single high shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3, the double slant from trips creates a natural pick concept that clears out underneath defenders in man coverage.
Hot route the slot receiver into a quick option route if you see a linebacker sitting in that throwing lane, this gives you a built in answer versus zone drops.
Use this on early down and medium distance to stay ahead of the sticks, the quick timing routes protect against interior pressure and get the ball out before a nano blitz can develop.
Pair this call with Y Stick HB Angle or Curls from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick game and intermediate concepts without changing your formation tendencies.
