Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
WR Smash from Pistol Strong Slot Close is a classic Cover 2 beater built on the smash concept to the top of the formation. The backside runs a corner route stacked over a flag out of the slot, creating a high low read on the boundary defenders, while the front side stacks a deep corner route over a flat route and the blue number 1 receiver runs a seam up the middle to hold the middle linebacker. The playside back releases into the short flat as a checkdown, giving the quarterback a full field progression from the deep corner to the seam to the flat.
Defensive Reads
Identify two deep safeties pre-snap as your green light indicator for this concept. Watch the flat defenders at the snap. If the corner sinks under the corner route instead of stepping up to the flat, throw the flat route immediately for an easy completion. Track the middle linebacker depth. If he sits shallow and does not respect the seam, the quarterback should climb the ladder to the seam route before the safety can get over the top. Beware of Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells with a single high safety since the corner routes will run into help over the top and the seam route becomes the primary answer. User controlled defenders sitting in the intermediate window between the corner and flat can jump both routes, so if you see a rat in the hole flashing outside, work the backside corner route matched up on the cornerback in isolation.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check the safety alignment. Two deep safeties confirm Cover 2 and this play is designed to win against it. Look at the corners depth. If they are sitting at 5 to 7 yards with safeties over the top, the corner routes will sit down right in the void behind the flat defender. Hot route the backside flag receiver into a deep out if you see a hard squat corner jumping the short route. Use the seam runner as your first read versus any single high look since he attacks the middle of the field before the safety can rotate over. Pair this play with Mills in your call sheet since Mills attacks the same Cover 2 shell with a post dig combo, forcing the defense to guess between vertical and intermediate answers. Best used on 2nd and medium to long or 3rd and long when you expect zone coverage rather than man pressure.
