Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Slants out of Singleback Trio 11 personnel shows a three receiver side to the left with two of them running slant routes at different depths (the shallow slant and the deeper red slant) while the outermost receiver runs a deep out to clear the flat and sideline. The lone receiver to the right runs a shallow drag across the middle underneath the box. There is no play-action or screen action shown, this is a quick five step dropback pass designed to attack man coverage with the natural rub and pick created by the stacked slant routes, with the drag serving as a zone beater underneath if the slants are taken away. Primary read progression starts with the inside slant, works to the outer slant behind it, and checks down to the shallow drag on the backside if the left side is jumped.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap check the corner depth on the trips side, tight press alignment is a signal the user is going to try to squeeze the slant throw so anticipate a natural pick developing. Watch the middle linebacker depth, if he is sitting shallow he can undercut the inside slant so be ready to climb the ladder to the second slant route or the drag. Against zone shells look for the flat defender to the trips side, if he sinks under the slants that route combo dies quickly and the checkdown to the drag becomes the answer. Man coverage with an underneath lurk defender sitting in the throwing lane is the biggest threat to this concept since the rub does not always beat a disciplined spy sitting inside. Cover 3 with a hard robber underneath will jump the shallow slant, so key the strong safety rotation post snap before committing to the first read.
Usage Tips
Pre snap identify if the corner over the slant receivers is playing press or off man, press coverage on the trips side means the natural rub from the stacked slants will create separation almost immediately. Look for single high safety alignment, this play punishes Cover 1 and Cover 3 because the underneath defenders have to fight through traffic to cover both slants. If you see zone drops with linebackers sitting in the short middle hook zones, hot route the drag runner into a deeper option or work the backside quickly since the middle will be clogged. Best called on first and second down in the short to intermediate range, and on third and short to third and medium against man heavy defenses. Pair this with Bubble Screen or Shoot from the same set to keep defenders honest on the flat before coming back to the rub concept slants, and mix in Verticals afterward once the defense starts jumping the underneath routes.
