Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Angle Smash out of Shotgun Doubles pairs an angle route out of the backfield with a smash concept on the boundary side. The backside receiver runs a deep out breaking hard to the sideline while the inside receiver clears vertically underneath into a corner route, creating the classic high low smash read against Cover 2. On the strong side the tight end runs an angle route out of the backfield, releasing outside then breaking sharply back inside to attack linebackers, while the outside receiver on that side pushes vertical then cuts across the middle on a slant style crosser. This is a man and zone beater built around the smash combo to attack the flat to corner defenders while the angle route gives the quarterback a quick outlet against blitzes.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender on the smash side, if he sinks too deep to take away the corner route the deep out underneath becomes open. Key the linebacker depth before the snap, shallow linebackers will struggle to wall off the angle route out of the backfield, giving the quarterback a free checkdown. Identify Cover 3 by watching the corner bail into a deep third, this coverage can squeeze the smash concept since the corner route runs into the deep defender. User controlled defenders lurking underneath the crosser can jump the angle route, so track any manual defender sitting in the shallow middle before committing to that read. Man coverage with inside linebackers spying will struggle against the tight end angle route breaking inside, look for that mismatch after the snap if the backside routes are covered.
Usage Tips
Read the corner route first against Cover 2 or Cover 4 since the smash concept is designed to put the flat defender in conflict with the deep corner route sitting behind him.
Use the angle route out of the backfield as your blitz beater on third and medium since it settles underneath and gives an easy completion when the defense sends extra rushers.
Check safety depth pre snap, if you see two high safeties rotate late you are likely getting Cover 2 or Cover 4 and the smash side is live.
Pair this play with Curl Flats or Spot Smash earlier in a series so the defense sees similar flat and corner combos, then come back to Angle Smash to hit the corner route once defenders start jumping the flats.
Attack man coverage by throwing the deep out on the backside quickly before the defender can recover, this route wins hard against press man due to the sharp break.
