All the top SEC offenses are incorporating Slide routes into their offense, and they are reaping the benefits. Approximately 70 Slide routes have been thrown, resulting in an impressive 84.3% completion rate. These routes average 5.16 yards per attempt. Despite their relatively low explosive rate of 6.94%, Slide routes offer a low-risk, high-reward element to an offense.
A Slide route is where a pass catcher moves across the formation behind the offensive line after the snap and runs to the flats to catch a pass. Teams use this route in Play-Action, RPO, and Modern Triple concepts.
10 Benefits of Slide Routes:
1. Replaces the Flow
Whether it’s an RPO or a Play-Action, Slide routes are an excellent way to fill the space vacated by a defender who’s rushing to play the run action. Naked Boots are a great way to get the defense to flow in one direction, even the backside outside linebacker, and then replace that open space with a Slide route.
2. Utilizes the Modern Triple
Quarterback reads the EMOL (end man on the line of scrimmage) for the handoff and the overhang defender for the pass. Slide routes are particularly effective for the modern triple because they stay behind the line of scrimmage and out leverage the second read key, preventing him from playing both the keep and the throw.
3. Makes Read Key Declare
When quarterbacks face the athletic defensive ends in the SEC, they often struggle to decide whether to hand off or pull the ball. The Slide route provides a split flow action that forces the defensive end to play over the top (give) or underneath (pull).
4. Adds RPO to Locked Run
Instead of reading the EMOL, you can key a specific defender to decide whether to hand the ball off or throw the Slide route.
For instance, Ole Miss dials up a Long Trap RPO Slide with a read on the frontside linebacker. If the linebacker flies out with the Slide route, hand the ball off. If he stays in the box to play the run, throw the Slide route.
Mike Bobo and Buster Faulkner have been utilizing this concept or a similar one since last season. Their approach appears to be more Play-Action than RPO, as evident from the quarterback’s eyes. The Slide route, with the offensive guard pulling, creates the illusion of a GH Counter. Regardless of whether it’s Play-Action or RPO, the offensive lineman can advance downfield since the Slide route is positioned behind the line of scrimmage.
5. Beats Man Coverage Beater
Slide routes are highly effective in the red zone and against man/match coverage. Defenders either have to work across a bunch of traffic to cover the Slide or are forced to communicate to pass it off.
6. Kills Short Yardage Defenses
When defenses sell out to defend the run on 3rd or 4th and short, make them pay with a Slide route. This is an easy way to replace the void in the flats and chase an explosive in short yardage situations. Remember, Slide routes have a 84.3% completion rate, so it is a safe bet to convert in short yardage situations (even if Florida missed it below).
7. Gets Athlete the Ball
Slide routes are often run with a tight end, but many teams also use a receiver to get an athlete the ball in space. For instance, Missouri will use Cayden Lee, Florida will use Bailey Stockton, and Kentucky used DJ Miller.
8. Can Pair with any Pass
Another great aspect of Slide routes is their versatility in incorporating them into various pass concepts. Teams employ them alongside Post/Wheel, Flood, Spacing, and Curl/Wheel concepts. By adding a Slide route, teams can effectively pull the curl/flat defender away from a two-man passing concept.
9. Can Pair with any Run
As mentioned above, Slides can be used in modern triple concepts or in locked runs as RPOs. This is the beauty of Slide routes; offensive coordinators find a way to use them in run concepts such as Inside/Outside Zone, GT Counter, Pin & Pull, Long Trap, and more.
10. Freezes Defenders in the Run
Lastly, while Slide routes replace backside defenders playing the run action, they also freeze frontside defenders in order to help the offensive line in the run game. Slide routes either freeze them for a second or get them to flow in order for ideal leverage and blocking angles.
Slides in the SEC
Coordinator Corner has been charting each offensive play in the SEC for the 2026 season. Notably, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Florida, Mississippi State, Georgia, and LSU are the teams dialing up Slide routes the most frequently.
In Week 5, anticipate the usage of Slide routes in short yardage situations or within the red zone as an option in the RPO or Play-Action game. These routes present a challenge to defenses and offer offenses a low-risk, high-reward strategy.