The Smash concept is a great pass concept to defeat zone coverage. It attacks the flat defender in any zone defense, whether it’s a corner in Cover 2 or an outside linebacker in Cover 3 or Cover 4. These concepts put vertical stress on the deep defender with a corner route, and horizontal stress on the flat defender with a route that attacks the outside flat space. The concept is effective no matter where you are on the field — smash to the boundary, to the field, or even in the red zone aimed for the pylon. The ability to call smash anywhere on the field, and the high success rate for a high school QB is one of the main reasons why coaches install this as a main drop back pass.
Most coaches will only run smash against a 2 high structure defense — whether that’s cover 2 or cover 4. I also like smash concept against a single high structure as long as it’s not mirrored on both sides. Below are a few different variations of running smash.
Smash Concepts
In the first variation I prefer to pair the smash route with a quick out by the number 1 WR. The reason why I prefer the quick out as opposed to a hitch is because the WR is adding horizontal stress to the flat defender, whether it be against the CB in Cover 2, or the OLB in Cover 3 or Cover 4.
This is tough to defend in Cover 2 when the CB is the flat defender because we’re getting a high-low read on the Corner with added horizontal stress by the quick out. The out by 1 will make it difficult for the Corner to try to gain depth to sit under the corner and still stay on top of the flat. Now the corner must widen with the out route, pulling him away from the smash route by #2.
This concept is also a great solution for Cover 3 or Cover 4 teams that put their OLB as the flat control player. With cover 3 or Cover 4, you can assume the smash route being covered by the Corner dropping into his deep 1/3 or 1/4 and robbing that route. Now the stress gets put onto the OLB who is the flat control player. The quick out by #1 WR should win every single time against an OLB in the flats. Think of it as a foot race to the sideline with your WR having a massive head start.
| X | Reduce splits inside the numbers. Quick out at 5 yards with a speed cut. Must threaten Corner vertical with release off the LOS |
| A | Corner route – with breakpoint at 8 yards. Set safety inside with mid route by attacking inside hip before breaking out. |
| Y | Backside post with breakpoint at 10 yards. Get inside safety and attack open space in the middle of field. |
| Z | Reduce split (nasty) and shallow cross 1-3 yards. |
| Q | There can be two types of progression here: Corner flat control player 1- Smash (A) 2- Post (Y) 3- Cross (Z) OLB flat control player 1 – Smash (A) 2 – Quick Out (X) 3 – Cross (Z) |
This next variation of smash concept comes out of one of my favorite formations – Trips nub. This concept works great when calling smash to the boundary or from the middle of the field. TE & RB are running the smash concept and the three WR’s are running Post – Dig – Shallow cross.
This is a great zone beater as you can attack any coverage with this concept. If a defense stays in 2 high structure against this formation, then QB can work the smash progression. If the formation forces the defense into a 1 high structure to put a hat in the box, then the QB can work the Post – Dig – Shallow which has a high / low conflict on the single high safety.
I call this concept “Dash” because it’s essentially Drive + Smash together. If you don’t play with a TE in your offense then you can still run this concept out of 10 personnel by putting the single WR into a nasty split, or by having him run a burst corner.
| X | 7 Step post. Get inside the corner and keep it skinny against single high safety. |
| A | Shallow cross at 1-3 yards |
| Y | Best release off the LOS. Smash route with break point at 8 yards |
| Z | Dig route at 10-12 yards. Sit in the windows behind the LB’s against zone. |
| T | Arrow route at 1-3 yards. Look for the ball as soon as you get outside the box |
| Q | There can be two types of progression here: 2 high structure 1- Smash (Y) 2- Arrow (T) 3- Cross (A) 1 high structure 1 – Post (X) 2 – Dig (Z) 3 – Cross (A) |
The last variation is another great way to use smash concept to attack 2 high structure teams that play cover 2 or cover 4. This concept can be ran out of empty 3×2 or a balanced 2×2 set with the RB coming out of the backfield (if you have a speed RB). I prefer to run it out of empty to give my RB a head start by his alignment.
This is a great way to get a mismatch with your RB on a linebacker who responsible for carrying 3 vertical as the 2 high safeties are occupied by the smash routes.
| X | Reduce splits inside the numbers. Quick out at 5 yards with a speed cut. Must threaten Corner vertical with release off the LOS |
| A | Corner route – with breakpoint at 8 yards. Set safety inside with mid route by attacking inside hip before breaking out. |
| Y | Corner route – with breakpoint at 8 yards. Set safety inside with mid route by attacking inside hip before breaking out. |
| Z | Reduce splits inside the numbers. Quick out at 5 yards with a speed cut. Must threaten Corner vertical with release off the LOS |
| T | Vertical over the ILB with post route break point around 8 yards. Split the safeties and attack middle field open grass. Expect ball as soon as ILB is cleared. |
| Q | Progression: 1 – Post (T) 2 – Either Smash (A or Y) 3 – Either out (X or Z) |
Simple Smash Concepts
There are several ways to run smash, but these three are a great start for anyone looking to dive into this concept. They have easy progressions for the QB and can be dressed up differently to attack the defense without giving away any tendencies. Whether you are looking to attack cover 2, cover 3, or cover 4 defense, these smash concepts will help your offense have more success against these coverages.