Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Double Slants aligns out of Singleback Doubles with two receivers stacked to each side. Both outside receivers run slant routes that break inside underneath the linebackers, while the slot receiver to the strong side runs a drag that crosses the field and the backside slot runs a wheel that clears vertically up the sideline. This is a quick-hitting man beater designed to attack tight coverage with rub concepts, and the primary read progression is the near-side slant first, working through the crossing drag underneath if the slant is jumped by a corner playing outside leverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they sink hard into the throwing lanes on the slants they are likely reading pass and squatting on the underneath routes. Identify the backside cornerback leverage before the snap, outside leverage invites the slant while inside leverage tips a possible jump route or bracket coverage. Key the safety rotation post-snap, a single high safety rolling down to the strong side signals man coverage underneath which favors the rub action on the slants. Look for a user lurk defender sitting in the shallow zone between the hashes, this is the biggest counter to Double Slants since it sits right in the passing lane of both inside breaking routes. Zone coverage with linebackers dropping to intermediate depth and staying square can shut down the drag and slant combo, forcing you to rely on the wheel route beating a late-reacting corner.
Usage Tips
Get the ball out on time to the first open slant, this play is designed to be a one or two step drop and throw before the pocket collapses.
Pre-snap, check for man coverage indicators like tight corner alignment on the outside receivers, since the slants create natural rubs that beat press man and off man alike.
If you see a heavy blitz look with linebackers crashing downhill, hot route the backside slot to a quick out or hitch to give yourself an immediate outlet against the pressure.
Pair this play with Slants or Curl Flats from the same set so the defense has to respect both the quick underneath game and the drag concept without changing your pre-snap alignment.
Use this on third and short or in the red zone where the quick slant window opens up before a linebacker can sink and wall it off.
