Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Sluggo Seam aligns out of Singleback Y Trips TE Slot with 12 personnel, showing two receivers to the left in a stack (X and slot) and a trips look to the right with the inline TE, slot WR and outside WR. The backside outside receiver runs a sluggo (slant and go) up the sideline while the slot receiver from that side works an inside seam that breaks vertically off the ball. To the trips side, the outside WR pushes a vertical seam up the numbers while the slot defender releases on a quick out, and the TE runs a seam up the middle of the field creating a four vertical style stretch with a built in sluggo double move. This is a man beater designed to attack off man leverage and single high shells, with the primary read starting on the sluggo route for a big play shot, then working to the two seams if the corner stays on top or the safety rotates over the top.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, identify if the corner over the backside sluggo receiver is playing press man or bail technique, since press man is exactly what this route is designed to punish with the double move. Watch the free safety depth and leverage, a single high safety shaded to the trips side leaves the sluggo isolated deep, while a two high shell forces the seams to be the primary answer instead. Post snap, key the underneath linebackers and any user controlled defender dropping into a seam lane or lurking the middle of the field, since a smart user can sit on the TE seam route and undercut the throw. If the defense shows Cover 3 or a zone shell, expect the corner to sink into his deep third and the seam routes become the better answer than the sluggo since the flat defender may not carry the vertical stem. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge or through the A gap put pressure on the quarterback before the sluggo fully develops, so recognize man pressure looks and be ready to climb the pocket or check down quickly.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or in shot situations when you want to test man coverage with the sluggo double move, since the slant and go is designed to freeze a corner playing tight man or press. Check the free safety alignment pre snap, if he is shaded to the trips side the backside sluggo has a clean one on one look against the corner. Hot route the underneath checkdown or slide protection if you see a nano blitz or extra rusher off the edge, since the seams take time to develop and the sluggo needs a full stem to sell the slant before breaking vertical. Pair this play in your call sheet with Four Verticals and Y-Trail from the same set so the defense has to respect both the seam shots and the option routes, making it harder for them to jump the sluggo on film study. Best used on second and long or in two minute situations where a corner is playing off leverage and can be baited into biting on the slant portion of the sluggo route.
