Defensive Line Slant “Slant Indy”

This is a play that we have used for many years with great success. This is a play we usually call against balanced offensive formations. This slant play will defend the off-tackle play and the sweep play.  This play will have the defensive linemen slant down and the linebackers loop outside.  This is a great defensive slant play that works well in youth football.

This defensive line slant is out of the 53 defense.  Here are the position assignments:

(N) Nose Guard: Slant away side A-gap.

(T) Defensive Tackles:  Both defensive tackles slant down to B-gap.

(E) Defensive Ends: Stunt side DE slants down to C-gap. The other defensive end contains.

(M) Middle Linebacker: Blitzes stunt side A-gap.

(S) Strong Side Linebacker: Loops around the defensive end and contains.

(w) Weak Side Linebacker: Secures C-gap, if play goes away he pursuits to the football.

(C) Cornerbacks: Deep 3rd zone coverage. You can also play man to man coverage.

(S) Safety: Deep 3rd coverage. No body gets behind the safety. The safety must be the deepest player on the field. The safety always lines up in the middle of the field, not over the ball or on the hashes.

Coaching Tip: Blitz strategically, do not blitz your defenders out of the play! Live by the blitz, die by the blitz.