Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Double Slant out of Strong I Slot Flex sends both outside receivers on quick slant routes that cross the middle of the field at a shallow depth, while the flexed slot receiver runs a vertical seam route up the numbers to hold the safety and clear underneath space. This is a man beater designed to attack inside leverage and create natural rub traffic against man coverage, though it also works against zone by settling into the voided hook areas between linebackers. The primary read progression starts with the near slant based on pre-snap leverage, then works to the backside slant if the first is capped, with the seam route as a check valve against soft coverage or blown assignments.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth: if both safeties are shaded deep in a two high shell, the slants have a clean throwing lane underneath since there is no immediate robber threat. Watch for a linebacker sitting in a low hole or lurk technique in Cover 3 or Tampa 2, since that defender can undercut both slants if he reads quarterback eyes early. If the corners are playing tight man with inside help underneath, expect the slants to get jammed at the line, which means the seam route becomes the primary answer instead of a checkdown. Post-snap, key the flat defender's drop: in zone coverage if he sinks too far under the slant he opens the door for the seam sitting behind him, but if he stays shallow he can disrupt the near slant's timing. Beware of a nano blitz or interior pressure package since the quick game timing can be disrupted before the first read even develops, so recognize blitz indicators like a walked up linebacker or overloaded front pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Fire the ball out quickly on the first read slant since this is a timing based concept that loses value if you hold the ball past two seconds.
Pre-snap, identify which corner is playing outside leverage versus inside leverage and target the slant on the side where the corner is aligned outside since that gives your receiver a cleaner release.
Against man coverage look for the natural pick created by the two slants crossing near the same depth, this often springs the second receiver open even if the first is covered.
Use the seam route as your answer versus zone coverage, especially Cover 2 or Cover 3 where the flat defender sits low and leaves a window behind the linebackers.
Pair this play with HB Dive or Power O in your call sheet to keep defenses honest on early downs, then come back to Double Slant on second and short once the defense starts cheating linebackers into the box.
This play shines on third and short to third and medium where the quick timing routes and rub concept consistently pick up the sticks against nickel and dime packages.
