Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn Smash H-Trail is a Cover 2 beater out of Shotgun Bunch TE Str with 11 personnel. Off the bunch, the outside receiver runs a deep corner route while the inside slot receiver trails underneath on a shallow crossing route to the same side, forming the classic smash trail combo that stretches the flat defender and safety vertically and horizontally. On the backside, the receiver runs a deep in breaking route across the field while the running back releases into the flat as a check down option. The primary read progression starts with the corner route to see if the cornerback bites on the trail, then works to the trail route underneath if the corner sits deep, then works backside to the crossing route if the smash side is taken away.
Defensive Reads
Two high safeties pre-snap signal Cover 2 or Cover 4, both of which are vulnerable to the smash corner and trail combo attacking the flat to deep quarter void. Watch the flat defender post-snap, if he sinks with the trail route the corner route will be open behind him in the deep quarter. Press man coverage on the outside receiver is a green light to work the trail route quickly since the corner route will take longer to develop against physical coverage. A single high safety pre-snap suggests man coverage or Cover 3, which can bracket the smash concept if the cornerback and safety communicate the switch. Watch for blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the running back check down in the flat becomes the emergency outlet if protection breaks down before routes develop.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the corner side cornerback is playing off or press, since a press corner opens up the trail route underneath almost immediately.
Look for two high safeties before the snap, this is a strong indicator of Cover 2 or Cover 4 where the smash concept thrives against the flat defender.
Use the trail route as your rhythm throw on quick game downs, it is designed to sit in the void behind underneath defenders and in front of the safety.
Pair this play with Mtn Verts Shallow Cross in your play-calling sequence to keep defenses honest, since both plays share bunch alignment but attack different levels of the defense.
Best used on second and medium to third and long when defenses are more likely to sit in zone shells rather than bring pressure.
