Kobra's Corner Madden NFL 09: Gun Empty Trips Open Triple Slants

By Paul "Kobra" Gleason

April 23, 2009

Concept:

The concept behind triple slants is to send more into the middle of the field than what the defender can handle. This concept is very effective against zone coverage as one of three receivers will be open. We add a vertical stretch element to this concept by sending the two receivers deep.

Progression Reads:

1. WR3 (Y) - Streak
2. WR5 (A) - Slant
3. WR4 (LB) - Slant
4. WR1 (B) - Slant
5. WR2 (X) - Fade

Offensive Plays Used:



Defensive Play Used:



How the Concept Works on the Field:



The play we use for this concept is Gun Empty Trips Open Quick Slants. The play by design works against both man and zone coverage. Against man, look for the WR1 or WR2 on slants. Against zone coverage, look the WR5 on the slant hook. The WR3 and WR4 are good options, but watch for defenders in the flats.



The defense comes out in the Dime Normal Cover 3.



The way we set the triple slants concept up is to hot route the WR2 on a fade and WR3 on a streak. This gives us our vertical stretch element.



Next, we hot route the WR4 and WR5 on slants. No need to hot route the WR1, since he is already running a slant.



We then take control of the WR3 and motion him inside.



Look at the WR3 as soon as the ball is snapped, there is a chance he will be open for a quick pass.



If the WR3 is not open, look for the WR5 first, then WR4, then WR1.



In the screen shot, we throw to the WR5 on the slant.



We make the catch and have some room to run.

Key Points:

• From what we have seen, there isn't any default zone defense in the game that can defend this concept. Some one is going to be open, it's just matter of where and when.
• Against man coverage, look for the WR5 first, then WR4, and then WR1.
• Something to try while practicing this concept is to try running triple drags. Hot route the WR5, WR4, and WR1 on drags. Do the same set up with the WR2 and WR3 by sending them on a streak and fade. Once the ball is snapped, look for the WR4, he is the receiver in the middle. Once he makes the catch, the WR5 and WR1 become run blockers. This concept should be good for 4 or more yards against stocked zone defenses.