Line Slant Left
The five-man front slants left one gap to jump runs that way.
Concept: Each lineman steps left on the snap while backers flow to fill vacated gaps behind the slant.
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
Step to your left gap (left A-gap) on the snap.
Slant one gap to your left on the snap.
Slant one gap to your left on the snap.
Slant one gap left, squeezing the next gap over.
Slant one gap left, becoming the crash/contain for that side.
Flow left and fill the gap vacated behind the slant.
Fill the backside gap the slant opens, guard cutback.
Roll to strong flat/curl support.
Deep-middle center field.
Cover strong receiver, force ball inside.
How to teach it
- 1All five linemen step to their left gap together on the snap, attacking the next blocker's near shoulder.
- 2Backers flow to fill vacated gaps behind the slant.
- 3Backside backer is the cutback insurance since the front is overloaded left.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Front slanting late and getting washed; fix by stepping on the snap in unison.
- !Cutback lane opening backside; fix by the backside backer reading and replacing the 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.