Smash Route

We run the smash route package by having #1 run a 5 yd hitch and #2 a corner route (push 8-10 yds the take one step to freeze the safety then break towards the corner reading the corner. If the corner drops, deepen the route. If the corner is low, then #2 will shorten his route

"Do you only want this to be a 2 man combo route or can you put the rb in the flat or does this widen the force player into the path of the comeback."

The smash route is designed to attack cover-2. The corner is the flat player in this coverage. It's a classic corner stretch play.

You would not want to release the RB to the smash side flat for two reasons........

1) You would have two players in the same area. (RB and #1 receiver on hitch)

2) It would most likely bring a LB out to the flat area, allowing one defender to cover two receivers.


Now, vs. cover 3, you could send the back out to the flat and have #1 drag inside until he passes the flat player, then sit down. This would put stress on the SS/LB (the flat player for C-3). But this almost becomes a completely different route all together.

Isn't that the same as the "mesh" route?

Sounds like the Spot Rt. in the west coast offense. One thing we do to hold that Safety over the top so he can't cheat to the corner is have Front side #3 run vertical to the inside shoulder. We do this out of Trips or w/ back out with a free release. Also run smash concept to single receiver side by free-releasing the RB to the flats on an arrow rt. and having the X stem inside and run a corner route. Love talking about this concept...has been great to us out of many variations.

QBcoach can you describe what your read are for the X receiever after he stems inside. I know that if it is cover 2 and the corner squats in the flat the receiver runs sort of a banana route into the deep 1/3. What happens if he gets man coverage? what if he is being bumped making it tough to get an inside release. What if there is a someone in the deep 1/3 or 1/4.

thanks