Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 12 playbooks
Breakdown
Smash Y Pivot lines up out of Shotgun Tight Y Off Wk with 11 personnel. The backside outside receiver runs a deep corner route while the inside slot receiver on that side clears vertically then breaks outside underneath it, forming the smash concept high low read against Cover 2 or Cover 3 corners. On the play side, the tight end runs a pivot route, sitting at the sticks and snapping back inside to work against man coverage or find soft spots underneath zone, while the outside receiver on that side clears out on a deep out to occupy the boundary defender. This is a classic zone beater built to attack two deep safety shells, with the primary read starting on the smash side corner route against the flat defender before working to the Y pivot as the quick game answer underneath.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap check safety depth and width, since a two high shell with corners playing outside leverage is exactly what this play is designed to exploit. Post-snap key the flat or curl defender on the smash side, if he sits on the pivot the corner route should be wide open behind him. Watch for a user controlled defender dropping into the passing lane on the Y pivot, since a smart human defender can jump the sit route and bait a turnover. Cover 3 with a hard rolled down safety over the corner route can take away the vertical shot, forcing the quarterback to check down to the pivot immediately. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can collapse the pocket before the pivot has time to snap back inside, so watch protection numbers pre-snap and be ready to throw with anticipation.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap identify whether the defense is showing two deep safeties, since this play is purpose built to attack Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells with the smash concept on the backside.
If the corner is sitting hard on the flat route, throw the corner over the top before the safety can rotate over the top.
Against man coverage, hot route the Y pivot into a quick out or speed out to prevent the underneath defender from sitting on the pivot break.
Use this play on second and medium to third and short since the Y pivot gives you a quick underneath answer while the corner route stretches the field vertically.
Pair this play with Smash Dagger or Smash Hammer in the same set to keep the defense guessing between the pivot underneath read and deeper crossing concepts off the same formation and personnel look.
