Playbooks

Smash

Near·Close Flex·21
SmashPass PlayCover 2 BeaterBlock and ReleaseCornerHitch
Play diagram for Smash from Near Close Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationNear

In 4 playbooks

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Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players
PlayerSideRoute
HB1RightBlock and Release Hook
FB1MiddlePass Block
WR2RightDeep Corner
WR1RightHitch
TE1LeftDeep Corner

Read progression

  1. WR2 right, Deep Corner
  2. WR1 right, Hitch
  3. HB1 right, Block and Release Hook or TE1 left, Deep Corner

Breakdown

Smash out of the Near Close Flex set in 21 personnel pairs a classic corner-hitch combo on the right with a mirrored deep corner from the TE on the backside, creating a true smash concept on both sides of the formation. WR1 sits down on the hitch while WR2 clears out over the top on the deep corner, stretching the flat defender and deep half defender vertically. The HB1 releases into the flat off play action protection while both the FB and full offensive line stay in to pass block, giving this a classic Cover 2 beater shell built for max protect shots downfield.

Defensive Reads

Identify whether the safeties are showing two high pre-snap, since this play is designed to exploit Cover 2 flat defenders who cannot cover both the hitch and the corner. Watch the flat defender or corner at the snap, if he sinks with the corner route the hitch will be wide open underneath. Key the deep half safety on the play side, a slow break or late rotation opens up the corner route for a big gain over the top. Beware of Cover 3 sky or Cover 4 quarters shells with a hard corner squatting on the hitch, this can bait a bad throw into a jump ball situation. Look for user linebackers spying the HB1 release into the flat, a disciplined defender there can take away the checkdown and force a tighter window elsewhere.

Usage Tips

Check for two deep safeties pre-snap since this concept is built specifically to attack Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells where the corner sits on the flat.

If the corner shows off coverage on WR1, hot route the hitch to a speed out or slant to punish soft cushions before the corner route develops.

Use play action or a hard count on early downs to freeze the linebackers and buy extra time for the deep corner routes to clear the safeties.

Pair this with Curl Flat or Post Drag from the same set to give the defense a different high low read after they adjust to the smash concept.

Best called on second and medium or third and short where the defense is more likely to sit in zone and give up the deep corner shots.

Other Plays in Close Flex