Slant Right
Entire defensive line slants one gap to the right to overload the strong side.
Concept: Each lineman steps to the play-side gap on the snap, changing his one-gap responsibility one gap over.
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.
- 12UAdd movement: Add the line stunt/twist to beat the offense's blocking rules.
- 14UFull call: Combine front, pressure, and coverage — and disguise it pre-snap.
Every position's job
Step to your play-side (right) gap — slant to the C-gap edge/contain to the right.
Slant one gap right into the left B-gap.
Slant right into the strong-side gap (A to B or B to C as assigned).
Slant one gap right into the A-gap.
Fill the gap vacated behind the slant to the right.
Fill the backside gap vacated by the slanting line.
Fill the backside edge/gap left open by the slant.
Cover the deep third/receiver to the right.
Cover the deep third/receiver to the left.
Play over the top and fill the alley.
How to teach it
- 1The whole line steps one gap right on the snap — each man's responsibility shifts one gap over; drill the unified first step.
- 2Backers fill the gaps the line vacates behind the slant.
- 3Slant to overload the strong side — teach penetration into the new gap, not reading.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Linemen slant late or read first; fix by drilling the on-the-snap directional step.
- !Backside is left exposed to a cutback; fix by teaching the backside backer to fill and the backside end to squeeze.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.