Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Smash Slot Choice is a Shotgun 11 personnel dropback pass out of the Tight Slot Flip set that stacks a smash concept to one side with a choice route from the slot. Pre-snap motion flips the formation, and the outside receiver on the motion side runs a deep corner route while the tight end sits underneath on a corner/flat combo, creating a high low smash read on that half of the field. On the opposite side the slot runs a choice route that breaks off man leverage while the running back releases into the flat as a checkdown outlet, giving the quarterback a full field progression that starts with the smash side corner route and works back to the choice route as the primary answer versus off coverage.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety alignment before the snap, since a single high safety shaded to the smash side often signals man coverage or Cover 3 rotation that opens up the choice route on the backside. Watch the flat defender on the smash side after the snap, if he sinks with the corner route the underneath throw window opens for the tight end. Key the slot defender's leverage against the choice route, inside leverage tells the receiver to break outside while outside leverage triggers an inside break for an easy completion. This play struggles against a hard Cover 2 flat squeeze combined with a deep half safety who can drive on the corner route, so avoid this call versus defenses showing two deep safeties with aggressive corners jumping underneath routes. Look for user controlled linebackers spying the running back's flat route, since a defender sitting on that route removes the easy checkdown and forces the quarterback to hold the ball longer against pressure.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense rotates the secondary, since a rotation to the motion side signals zone coverage and a lack of rotation usually means man across the board.
Attack Cover 2 shells by working the smash concept first, since the corner route is designed to sit over the top of the flat defender and stress the deep quarter or half safety.
Against man coverage, prioritize the choice route since the receiver can break based on leverage and separate quickly against a trailing corner or nickel defender.
Use the running back flat route as a hot route answer versus overload blitzes, especially on obvious passing downs when extra rushers are showing pre-snap.
Pair this play with Mtn Z Choice and PA Read in the same set to keep the defense guessing between mirrored choice concepts and play action shots, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their run fits.
