Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Middle | Block and Release Flat |
| TE2 | Right | Out |
| WR2 | Left | Short In |
| WR1 | Left | Streak |
| TE1 | Right | Out and Up |
Slot Fade Shot is a shot play out of Singleback Wing Flex that isolates the slot receiver on a vertical fade against a slot corner or nickel defender, while the outside receivers run clear-out routes to occupy the deep safeties. This is a man beater at its core, designed to exploit one-on-one leverage on a taller or faster slot target in isolated or Cover 1 looks, though it can also stretch a single high safety in Cover 3 if the corner is playing off. The primary read progression starts with the slot fade for the deep shot, then works down to the underneath crosser or check-down option if the initial window is contested or if the defense rotates two deep safeties over the top.
Pre-snap, identify whether the slot defender is a linebacker, safety, or true corner, since a linebacker matched on the slot fade is a mismatch you should attack immediately. Check safety depth and rotation, if both safeties are backpedaling into a two deep shell before the snap, the fade window shrinks and you should progress to the underneath option. Watch for man coverage indicators like the slot defender turning and running with the receiver at the snap rather than sitting and reading the quarterback. Beware of Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with safeties sitting deep and outside, as these coverages take away the fade throw and force you to check down. On the defensive side, user the deep half safety to the slot fade side and play the trail technique with the corner to jump the route, or call a Cover 3 match with the flat defender sinking to disrupt the timing of the throw.
Diagnose the corner and safety alignment before the snap, if the slot corner is playing tight man with no help over the top, this is an automatic shot play call. Look for single high safety shells like Cover 1 or Cover 3, since a lone deep defender cannot help on both outside verticals and the slot fade simultaneously. Hot route the backside receiver into a shallow drag or hitch if you diagnose two deep safeties, giving you a quick underneath outlet instead of forcing a covered deep ball. Save this shot play for third and long or two minute drill situations where the risk of a deep incompletion is offset by the explosive play upside. Pair this call with Quick Slant or PA Y-Cross earlier in a series to condition the defense into expecting shorter routes, then hit them with the Slot Fade Shot once you see the corner sitting on shallow routes and biting on run action from HB Toss Strong or HB Zone Wk.