The slant is the building block for every inside route. Kids at this age can learn spacing, timing, and cutting angles. This drill makes the concept concrete.
Equipment needed: 6 cones, 2 balls, 2 receivers.
Setup: Receivers line up on the line of scrimmage, 8 yards from the QB. Place two cones 3 yards downfield and 2 yards inside from each receiver’s starting spot. These mark the slant target.
How to run it:
- QB lines up. Call “Slant” with a count.
- Receivers take 3 steps downfield and plant the outside foot hard, cutting inside at 45 degrees toward the cone.
- QB throws a touch pass to lead the receiver into the cut. The ball should arrive right as the receiver plants.
- Receiver catches and decelerates. No flags pulled yet, just catching and routes.
- Do 6 reps per receiver. Switch.
What to look for:
The plant is everything. If the receiver rounds the cut or doesn’t plant hard, the QB’s throw timing is ruined. Make sure the QB is leading the receiver forward, not back toward the LOS. The receiver should never break stride going into the cut. If the QB is throwing high or the receiver is reaching, the angle is off. Adjust the cone position, not the throw.
Variation: Add a defender. Once the receiver shows they can catch the slant consistently, put a defender 2 yards away shading the inside shoulder. Now the receiver has to make the cut clean and use the plant to separate. The defender should not pull the flag, just try to stay with the route so the QB can see if there’s separation.