Playbooks

Salem Smash Under

Shotgun·5WR Tight·00
SmashPass PlayCover 2 Beater
Play diagram for Salem Smash Under from Shotgun 5WR Tight in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 4 playbooks

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Breakdown

Salem Smash Under aligns out of Shotgun 5WR Tight with no backfield help, sending the outside receiver on the right on a deep corner route (red) that stretches the sideline vertically, classic smash concept shape. Underneath, the inside slot runs a quick flat/under route while two more receivers work drag and dig crossers over the middle, and the backside receiver runs a corner breaking route to the boundary. This is a pass play built as a Cover 2 beater, using the high low smash read on the right side combined with crossing traffic underneath to overload zone drops, with the primary read progressing from the deep corner route to the shallow under route sitting beneath it, then working over to the crossers if the smash side is covered.

Defensive Reads

Presnap check safety depth on the right side, if both safeties are deep at ten to twelve yards you are likely seeing Cover 2 or Cover 4, which is exactly what the smash corner route is designed to defeat by throwing outside the flat defender. Watch the cornerback on the smash side after the snap, if he sinks under the corner route rather than jumping the flat, that confirms zone coverage and you should trust the deep throw. Key the underneath linebackers and nickel defender on the crossing routes, quick trigger down after the snap toward the drags signals man coverage or a blitz look, meaning you should get the ball out fast to the under route. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender squatting on the under route can take away the easy completion, so be ready to climb the progression to the corner route or the far side crosser. Blitz heavy looks with the slot defender crashing show man coverage behind it most of the time, which favors the crossing routes creating natural separation through traffic.

Usage Tips

Presnap identify if the corner and safety on the right are showing a two high shell, since the smash concept on that side is designed to attack the flat defender and deep quarter or half defender in that exact leverage. If the corner sits low expecting the flat throw, take the corner route shot over the top immediately instead of working the progression. Use the drag and dig crossers as your answer versus man coverage, they create natural rub traffic that helps receivers separate from man defenders trailing across the field. On third and medium or third and long, this play is a strong call because the deep corner and the crossing routes both work as first down markers if the underneath zone squeezes. Pair this play with Mtn Post Swirl or Smash Dagger in your play calling sequence so defenses cannot sit on the same smash concept read every snap, forcing them to respect vertical shots off similar formation looks.

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