Playbooks

Empty Smash

Shotgun·Trey Y-Flex·11
SmashPass PlayCover 2 Beater
Play diagram for Empty Smash from Shotgun Trey Y-Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

Packers OffenseOffenseNFL Live Packers OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Empty Smash aligns five receivers wide out of Trey Y-Flex with no running back in the backfield. The backside receiver runs a deep corner route while the inside slot climbs a seam, and the underneath corner route on that side stops at the sideline for a classic high low smash combo. On the trips side the outside receiver pushes a deep vertical to stretch the field while the two inside receivers work a short flat route and a corner breaking route underneath the same read, giving you smash concepts stacked on both sides against a Cover 2 shell.

Defensive Reads

Read the deep safeties before the snap since this play is designed to attack a Cover 2 shell where the corner defenders are forced to squeeze the flat and the corner route at the same time. Watch the flat defender after the snap because if he sinks too deep to help on the corner route, the underneath flat throw is wide open for an easy completion. Key the outside cornerback's depth at the snap since if he is playing tight man technique with no safety help, the trips side corner route becomes a big play opportunity. Look for a user controlled defender jumping the flat route since that lurk threat is the most common way defenses take away the easy checkdown against this concept. Empty formations with no back in protection are vulnerable to interior pressure, so identify if the defense is bringing extra rushers up the middle and get the ball out on your first read quickly.

Usage Tips

Pre snap identify the safety alignment first since this play is built specifically to punish two high shells with deep zone drops underneath.

If you see man coverage with no help over the top, hot route the corner route on the trips side into a fade or slant to isolate the cornerback in a one on one matchup.

Use the flat route as your outlet against a blitz look since it releases quickly and gives you a built in answer versus pressure without needing to adjust protection.

Pair Empty Smash with Empty Y Cross or Empty Vertical in your play calling sequence so the defense cannot sit on the flat and corner combo without opening up crossing routes underneath.

Best called on second and long or third and medium when you expect a zone shell, since the high low read on both sides forces a defender to choose between the flat and the corner.

Other Plays in Trey Y-Flex