Slants are the backbone of two cornerstone Air Raid concepts—Dragon and Lion. Whether you're just getting started with the Air Raid or looking to sharpen your digital play-calling, learning how to run these slant-based concepts will help you sustain drives, punish blitzes, and open up deeper opportunities later in the game.

Why the Slant Route Works

The slant is a quick inside-breaking route where the receiver takes a few steps upfield and cuts sharply toward the middle. It's fast, efficient, and hard to defend when timed correctly. In the Air Raid, slants thrive because:

Quick Decision-Making:They give the quarterback a high-percentage throw before the pass rush arrives.

Space Creation:Slants attack the soft spots behind linebackers and between safeties.

Versatility:They beat man coverage with speed and separation, while also stressing zone defenders.

Yards After Catch (YAC):A well-thrown slant in stride often turns into big gains.

In College Football 26, where defensive AI reacts quickly, your ability to throw slants on time makes the difference between a 7-yard gain and a tipped ball.

The Dragon Concept (Slant + Flat Combo)

The Dragon concept is one of the simplest yet most effective designs in the Air Raid arsenal. It pairs a quick slant with a flat route, forcing a linebacker or nickel defender to choose which route to cover.

Setup:The slot receiver runs a three-step slant, while the running back or tight end immediately heads to the flat.

Read:The quarterback keys on the flat defender. If the defender widens to cover the flat, the slant opens up. If the defender stays inside, the flat is available for an easy completion.

In CF26:Take only a quick drop—no more than one step—and be ready to throw on rhythm. The timing window is tight, and hesitation allows defenders to recover.

Dragon is especially effective against Cover 2 or zone blitzes, where linebackers must cover too much ground horizontally.

The Lion Concept (Double Slant Combo)

The Lion concept takes the slant idea a step further by stacking two slants on the same side of the field. This "double slant" approach creates a natural two-level read for the quarterback.

Setup:The outside receiver runs a five-step slant, while the slot receiver runs a shorter three-step slant underneath.

Read:Start with the inside slant. If the defender overcommits or plays off coverage, throw quickly to the slot. If the coverage collapses inside, the outside slant is often open just behind it.

In CF26:Precision passing is crucial. Lead your receivers inside, away from lurking safeties. Against man coverage, rely on your receivers' acceleration and agility ratings to separate.

Lion is particularly dangerous against man-to-man defenses, since defenders often bump into each other while trying to follow crossing routes.

How to Use Dragon and Lion Together

Slants are most effective when you mix them into a larger game plan. Dragon punishes linebackers caught between inside and flat responsibilities, while Lion stresses man coverage and off-ball zones. When used in tandem, they create constant headaches for defenders.

Use Dragon as a blitz beater and safe first-down play.

Call Lion on second or third down when you anticipate man coverage.

Mix in screens and deep shots to keep defenses honest once they overcommit to stopping the slant.

The Air Raid thrives on simplicity and repetition, and slants are its bread and butter. In cheap CFB 26 Coins, Dragon and Lion aren't just easy plays to learn—they're reliable tools for moving the ball consistently. Master the timing, trust your reads, and remember that every slant you hit sets up bigger opportunities later in the drive.

If you're looking to build a high-powered Air Raid offense, start with these two concepts. Once you can run Dragon and Lion in your sleep, you'll unlock the full potential of the Air Raid playbook—and make your digital opponents pay for every defensive mistake.