Slant Strong
Slants all three down linemen one gap toward the tight-end side at the snap.
Concept: Each lineman crosses the face of his blocker into the next strong-side gap to disrupt down blocks.
Grows with your players
Same play, more layers as they age up — teach it once and build on it every season for a consistent program.
- 10UIntroduce: Line up right and own your gap — win with alignment, pad level, and pursuit to the ball.
- 12UAttack blocks: Add get-off and block destruction so the front controls the line of scrimmage.
- 14UAdd movement: Add the line stunt/twist to beat the offense's blocking rules. Teach the coverage drops behind the front and read run vs. pass. Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.
Every position's job
Cross the center's face into the strong A-gap on the snap.
Cross the strong tackle's face into the next strong gap (C-gap).
Cross the weak tackle's face into the next gap (weak B-gap).
Fill the weak backside gap, guard the cutback.
Flow strong and fill the gap vacated by the slant.
Fill behind the slant, plug the open gap.
Deep-middle center field.
Cover strong receiver, force ball inside.
How to teach it
- 1All three down linemen cross their blocker's face one gap toward the tight-end side to disrupt down blocks.
- 2Backers fold over the top to fill the gaps the slant vacates.
- 3The weak backer is the cutback insurance.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Linemen slanting flat and getting reached; fix by crossing the near shoulder and penetrating.
- !Cutback lane opening weak; fix by the Will reading and replacing the backside gap.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.