Playbooks
Breakdown
Drive Smash out of Shotgun 5WR Flex Trey pairs a classic smash concept on the boundary with a deep drive route from the backside slot. The outside receiver on the near side runs a quick hitch while the inside receiver clears out on a corner route, creating the high low smash read to that side, while the far outside receiver runs a vertical release up the numbers. The backside slot receiver runs a deep drive route across the middle of the field, crossing under the corner route and giving the quarterback a coverage beater against both Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells. Primary read starts with the corner to hitch smash read, then works back across the field to the drive route if the safety squats on the smash concept.
Defensive Reads
Watch the corner over the smash concept pre-snap, if he plays a hard outside shade he is likely sitting on the hitch and daring you to throw the corner route behind him. Identify the deep safeties pre-snap, two high alignments tell you this is a strong Cover 2 or Cover 4 beater and the corner route or drive route will be open depending on rotation. Post-snap, key the flat defender's drop on the smash side, if he sinks too deep chasing the corner route the hitch will be wide open underneath. Look for a user controlled lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, since the drive route crosses through that zone and is vulnerable to a jumped throw. Against single high safety looks such as Cover 1 or Cover 3, expect the drive route to be the primary answer since the vertical route on the backside can occupy the deep third defender.
Usage Tips
Check the corner and safety alignment on the smash side before the snap, if the corner sits low expecting the hitch, throw the corner route behind him for an explosive gain.
Use this play on second and medium to third and long, the drive route provides a solid answer to sit down for a chain mover if the deep shots are covered.
Hot route the backside outside receiver into a shorter route if you are facing heavy pressure looks, since the vertical takes time to develop and leaves the quarterback exposed.
Pair this play with Four Verticals from the same set to keep defenses honest, if they start rolling a safety over to stop the drive route, Four Verticals punishes single high looks.
Against Cover 2, target the deep corner route immediately since it exploits the seam between the flat defender and the deep safety before the safety can rotate over.
