Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Sprintout Smash from Shotgun Tackle Over rolls the quarterback out to the strong side while the outside receiver on that side runs a corner route stacked over a shallow flat route from the tight end or slot, forming the classic smash concept. The backside receiver runs a shallow crossing route underneath as a checkdown option away from the rollout. This is a play-action rollout pass designed as a Cover 2 beater since the corner route is meant to split the flat defender and deep half safety, and the primary read progression starts with the corner route, works down to the flat route underneath it, then checks back to the backside cross if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Key the flat defender immediately at the snap, if he sinks with the corner route the flat route underneath will be wide open for an easy pitch and catch. Watch the deep half safety to the play side, if he stays static or reads run action off the rollout the corner route can beat him over the top. Man coverage with a physical corner at the line can disrupt this concept early, so look for the receiver getting rerouted before committing to the throw. Linebacker spy or contain defenders on the play side edge are the biggest threat to this rollout, since a disciplined edge defender can force the quarterback to throw off platform or take a sack. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender and a deep third corner can squeeze both routes, making the backside shallow cross the only safe answer.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or third and medium when you expect Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells since the corner over flat combo is built to attack the flat defender's conflict. Pre-snap, check the safety alignment: two high safeties sitting deep are a green light for the smash concept to work. Use the rollout to buy time against interior pressure, since the quarterback moving outside the pocket naturally avoids inside blitzers and simplifies the half field read. If the corner is jammed or the flat defender sinks too deep, hot route the backside crosser into a deeper dig to give yourself a true outlet. Sequence this play with HB Slip Screen or RPO Alert Bubble from the same set to keep defenses honest on perimeter speed before hitting them with the sprintout shot down the sideline.
