Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RNS Switch Smash lines up in Shotgun Spread Slots Close with a crossed release at the bottom of the formation and a classic smash concept on the outside. The two inside receivers cross underneath with the slot running a corner route and the outside receiver breaking into a shallow crosser, while the backside receiver runs a deep corner route and the tight end/slot to that side sits on a short hitch or curl. This is a Cover 2 beater by design: the deep corner route stretches the flat defender vertically while the underneath cross and hitch attack the void underneath the safeties, and the primary read progression starts with the smash corner route, works down to the crossing routes underneath, and comes back to the flat hitch as a checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Key the safeties before the snap, if they are showing a two-high shell with the corners playing off, expect the flat defender to be stressed by the smash corner route. Watch the flat defender or cornerback at the snap, if he sinks with the corner route the underneath crossers will be wide open in the void. Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 with a deep half safety rotating over, this play loses its main advantage since the extra deep defender can help on the corner route. User the underneath linebacker or nickel defender to sit in the crossing lanes, jumping the shallow cross can bait the quarterback into an interception if he is locked on his first read. Bring a nano blitz or disguised pressure pre-snap, since the quarterback needs time to work through the full progression from corner to crosser to hitch.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, look for two safeties split deep to confirm Cover 2 or Cover 4, since this play is built to exploit the flat defender getting caught between the hitch and the corner route.
If the corner shows soft coverage or sits at 5-7 yards, hot route the crossing route into a speed out to attack the space he is conceding.
Use this play on second and medium to second and long when defenses are likely to sit back in zone shells rather than bring pressure.
Pair this call with RNS Switch Streak earlier in a series so the defense respects the vertical shot, then come back to Switch Smash to attack the same crossing action underneath.
Against man coverage, prioritize the crossing routes since the natural rub at the crossing point creates separation against tight man technique.
