Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Quick Slants out of Singleback Deuce lines up both outside receivers on the numbers with a two TE personnel look. The left X runs a quick slant across the middle while the right X runs a deep crossing route that works over the top from the opposite side, creating a natural high low read on the same side of the field. This is a man beater designed to attack off man coverage leverage and beat blitzes with a fast rhythm throw, with the slant as the primary read and the deep crosser as the clear out or backside option if a defender bites on the underneath route.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage with inside leverage corners is the biggest vulnerability, the slant route wins immediately against press or tight man technique. Watch for a linebacker sitting in the shallow hook zone, since he can undercut the slant if he reads quarterback eyes quickly. Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with deep zone defenders can take away the deep crosser, so the quarterback must be ready to check down to the slant instead. Pre-snap, identify if the defense is bringing a nano blitz or overload pressure, since the quick slant timing beats most blitz packages before the rush arrives. Post-snap, watch for a user-controlled defender flying to the shallow crossing route lane, as this is the most common lurk spot defenders use to jump this concept.
Usage Tips
Get the ball out on time to the slant, this route is designed to win in under two seconds against man coverage and blitz looks.
Check pre-snap for man coverage indicators like tight cornerback alignment on the X receivers, since the slant angle exploits inside leverage defenders.
If the defense shows two deep safeties or soft zone, look to the deep crosser on the right side since it will have room to work behind underneath zone defenders.
Use this play on third and short or in the red zone when you need a quick decisive throw against pressure looks.
Pair this with Curl Flats or Ace Posts in the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick game and levels concepts off similar formation alignment.
