difterm.com The slant route and post route are key passing plays in sports that require precision and timing between the quarterback and receiver. The slant route involves a quick, sharp diagonal cut inside the field, ideal for short to intermediate gains and evading defenders in tight spaces. In contrast, the post route features a deep diagonal break toward the center of the field, designed to stretch the defense vertically and create opportunities for long completions.
Table of Comparison
| Aspect | Slant Route | Post Route |
|---|---|---|
| Route Description | Quick diagonal cut across the middle of the field | Deeper diagonal route toward the goalposts |
| Route Depth | Short to intermediate (5-10 yards) | Intermediate to deep (15-20 yards) |
| Primary Purpose | Quick yardage, high-percentage completion | Stretch defense, big-play opportunity |
| Typical Defensive Coverage | Man or zone, often contested by linebackers or safeties | Usually covered by safeties or cornerbacks deep in zone |
| Ideal Timing | Early in the play, quick release (1-2 seconds) | Mid-play, requires quarterback patience (3-4 seconds) |
| Advantages | Fast, effective against blitz, reduces sack risk | Creates big gains, exploits deep coverage holes |
| Disadvantages | Limited yardage, susceptible to quick tackles | Longer development time, riskier throw |
Understanding the Slant Route
The slant route is a quick, sharp pattern where the receiver cuts diagonally across the field at a shallow angle, typically 3 to 5 yards past the line of scrimmage. This route is designed to exploit defensive weaknesses by creating separation in the middle of the field, enabling quarterbacks to make fast, accurate throws under pressure. Mastering the slant route enhances offensive efficiency, providing a reliable option against man-to-man and zone coverages.
Breaking Down the Post Route
The post route is a critical passing pattern where the receiver sprints straight downfield before sharply cutting towards the middle of the field at a 45-degree angle. This route exploits deep coverage gaps by targeting the safety's zone, creating an optimal window for quarterbacks to deliver precise, timing-based throws. Compared to the slant route, which focuses on quick, short-yardage gains across the middle, the post route is designed for higher yardage, requiring strong route running and accurate timing between quarterback and receiver.
Key Differences: Slant vs Post Route
The slant route is a quick, short to intermediate pass pattern where the receiver cuts diagonally across the field at a sharp angle, designed to exploit short openings in zone or man coverage. In contrast, the post route involves the receiver running deeper, angling toward the goalposts to stretch defenses vertically and create opportunities for long completions. Key differences include the route depth, timing, and the types of defensive coverages each route targets, with the slant emphasizing speed and quick separation and the post focusing on vertical threats and breaking safeties' positioning.
Advantages of the Slant Route
The slant route offers a quicker release, allowing receivers to gain separation rapidly within 3-5 yards of the line of scrimmage, which is crucial against tight coverage. Its sharp, diagonal path exploits gaps in zone defenses, increasing the likelihood of a successful catch and minimizing quarterback exposure to pass rush. This route is particularly effective in short to intermediate passing schemes, providing reliable yardage and maintaining offensive momentum.
Benefits of Running the Post Route
The post route offers quarterbacks a reliable deep passing option by exploiting the middle of the field, creating opportunities for big-yardage gains and touchdowns. This route capitalizes on defensive coverages by stretching safeties and linebackers vertically, opening up space for receivers to break free with speed and precise timing. Running the post route enhances a team's vertical threat, forcing defenses to adjust and providing strategic advantages in both passing and running plays.
Situational Uses: When to Call Each Route
Slant routes are ideal for short to medium gains in quick-pass situations, especially against zone defenses or when targeting linebackers in man coverage, due to their sharp, diagonal cuts across the field. Post routes excel on longer passing downs or in deep-shot opportunities, exploiting safeties' positions by attacking the middle of the field and stretching the defense vertically. Coaches often call slant routes on early downs or third-and-short scenarios, while post routes are favored during third-and-long or red zone attempts.
Defensive Strategies Against Slant and Post
Defensive strategies against slant routes emphasize quick, agile cornerbacks or safeties who can read the quarterback's eyes and break on the ball immediately to disrupt timing. For post routes, defenses often deploy deeper zone coverage schemes like Cover 2 or Cover 3, placing safeties in position to prevent big plays by maintaining leverage over the middle of the field. Effective communication and anticipation are crucial for linebackers and defensive backs to adjust and close gaps quickly, minimizing yardage after the catch.
Common Mistakes on Slant and Post Routes
Common mistakes on slant routes include improper timing and incorrect depth, causing receivers to run too far or too short, disrupting the quarterback's rhythm. On post routes, a frequent error is failing to adjust the break according to the defender's leverage, resulting in interceptions or incomplete passes. Precise route execution and awareness of defensive positioning are crucial for maximizing yardage on both routes.
Notable NFL Plays Featuring Slant and Post Routes
Notable NFL plays featuring slant routes include Larry Fitzgerald's iconic reception in the 2008 NFC Championship, where his quick slant catch secured a crucial touchdown. Post routes gained prominence through Drew Brees' game-winning strike to Michael Thomas in the 2019 NFC Divisional Round, showcasing precision and timing. These routes remain fundamental in NFL offenses due to their effectiveness in creating separation and exploiting defensive coverages.
Training Drills to Master Slant and Post Routes
Training drills to master slant and post routes emphasize precise footwork and timing to enhance receiver agility and route accuracy. Cone drills combined with rapid direction changes simulate game scenarios, improving the ability to quickly cut inside on slant routes or drive deep on post routes. Consistent repetition of NFL-style shadow drills increases muscle memory, allowing receivers to execute sharp breaks and maintain separation from defenders during both routes.
Slant Route vs Post Route Infographic
