A
slant route is a
pattern run by a
receiver in
American football, where the receiver runs up the field at approximately a 45-degree angle, heading to the gap between the
linebackers and the
linemen. Usually, the pass is used when the
corner or
nickelback are playing farther away from the receiver, so a quick pass is able to be completed before the defender has time to try to break up the pass. The pass is used frequently in the
West Coast system, where quick, accurate throwing is key. This route is most commonly used to exploit the
cover 2 defense. Usually throwing in the seam between the
safety and the cornerback is the key to getting a completion using this route.