The quick slant is a very popular route in football.
The slant route is often one of the first routes a player will learn to run, as well as a route they will continue to run at every level of the game.
Just in the name it’s a very quick route running toward the middle of the field.
This article will give you a summary of how to run the slant route.
We’ll break down the specifics on what to look for as a receiver and then give you the proper steps on one of the most popular routes in the route tree.
We’ll also discuss when is the best time to run a quick slant, as well as the risk of the pass play.
We will discuss the quarterback’s role in delivering a good pass.
Lastly we’ll break down the best receiver in the game and how he made this route famous.
But first lets see an exceptional slant route!
Gorgeous slant route from Dyami vs Fuller.#WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/rNHZtTO3Sx
— Tae & Todd Commanders Podcast (@TaeNToddPodcast) August 6, 2021
Contents
Proper steps of running a slant route
A quick slant is a quick inside running route that is run at about 3 yards.
The receiver running this route should be lined up with his inside foot on the line. The inside foot is the one closest to the quarterback.
When the ball is snapped you explode off the ball towards the outside hip of the defender.
Take 3 strong steps. On the third step you plant hard on your outside foot, and slant toward the middle of the field.
As soon as you make the cut inside you should have your eyes at the quarterback looking for the pass.
The idea of the quick slant is to deliver the ball quickly. You want to beat the corner to the inside, and catch the ball before you run into the linebackers.
Even though you will often catch the ball between 3-5 yards upfield, the quick slant can result in a big gain as you should have some room to run after you catch the ball.
Quick slants are designed for a receiver to get a ton of YAC (Yards After Catch).
When is the best time to run a slant?
You can really run a quick slant against any defense in any situation.
The best time to call quick slants is when the corners are playing a soft coverage. This means the corners are playing 5 yards more off the ball.
However if a corner is playing press coverage and you have a more athletic receiver, a quick slant can go for BIG yardage.
One of the best receivers in football became great because of the quick slant!
You also want to throw the ball to a quick slant when there is man to man coverage.
This gives you the best chance to hit a big play. Especially when you’re receiver is mismatched against a corner with less ability than him.
How can the slant be a risky pass?
Quick slants can be a very risky pass to make if a defense is in zone coverage.
Essentially the receiver running the quick slant would be running directly into a linebacker zone and could cause a big hit, or even a PICK!
One key is ensuring the ball is delivered before the receiver runs into the linebacker area.
Quick slants are all based on timing. If the quarterback holds the ball too long the receiver can either get hit and tackled quickly by a linebacker, or even intercepted.
We remember this famous slant route that got intercepted at the goal line. I was there live, and it was incredible.
Really though, why not just hand it off there to Lynch?
How the quarterback throws the slant route
Being a quarterback is very difficult. There is a ton of pressure on you to get the ball out quickly and on time. The quick slant needs to be practiced. The more time you practice with your receivers on timing the better you will execute this pass.
Typically a quarterback takes a quick 3-step drop, and delivers the ball off his third step back in his drop back.
If a quarterback is getting the snap in a shotgun, he will often quickly set his feet and deliver the ball with 1 step back, called a control step, or gather step. The gathering step is typically used to start moving the quarterback’s body toward the receiver he is throwing to.
Who was the best player to run the quick slant?
JERRY RICE, HANDS DOWN!
Jerry Rice holds many receiver records. He perfected the quick slant, and scored so many touchdowns running this route.
He was simply faster than everyone on the field. Once he caught the ball inside the corner, and before the linebacker, he would expose the seem and just need to beat the safety for a touchdown. Which he did often.
Jerry Rice perfected all of his routes, not just the quick slant. Here is a great video showing the GOAT run routes.
Final Word
The slant route is a timing route. It’s a relatively easy route to learn, but takes a ton of time and effort from the receivers and quarterbacks to help make it effective.
Having receivers and quarterbacks run routes together and develop great timing will help make this route effective in the game.
If you can get the slant route down, it can be a huge benefit to incorporate into your game plan and help get some quick yardage through the air.
Coach Scott