Nose Slant Weak
The nose slants to the weak-side A-gap to jump backside runs.
Concept: The nose fires the weak A-gap while the strong backer scrapes to fill the vacated gap.
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
Fire the weak-side A-gap, jump backside runs and disrupt the center.
5-technique strong C-gap, squeeze and hold.
5-technique weak C-gap, squeeze cutbacks.
Scrape and fill the vacated strong A-gap the nose left, be the plug backer.
Read guard, flow weak and clean up behind the slanting nose.
Roll to strong flat/curl and support the run.
Deep-middle center field over the top.
Cover strong receiver, force ball inside.
How to teach it
- 1Nose attacks the weak A-gap with his near foot and hands on the center's weak shoulder.
- 2Strong backer scrapes over to fill the strong A-gap the nose vacated.
- 3Get skinny and penetrate rather than staying square once you are slanting.
Common mistakes to fix
- !Strong backer not scraping to fill; fix by keying the slant and replacing the vacated gap.
- !Nose slanting upfield instead of into the gap; fix by attacking the center's near shoulder and squeezing.
Build this into your call sheet.
Adopt this system in your coach portal, tag plays by situation, and print call sheets and player wristbands.