Playbooks

Smash

Shotgun·Trips HB Wk·10
SmashPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCornerFlatHitchPost
Play diagram for Smash from Shotgun Trips HB Wk in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 5 playbooks

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Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players
PlayerSideRoute
HB1LeftFlat
SLWRRightPost
WR1LeftCorner
WR2RightHitch
SLWR2RightCorner

Read progression

  1. WR1 left, Corner
  2. SLWR2 right, Corner
  3. WR2 right, Hitch
  4. SLWR right, Post
  5. HB1 left, FlatCheck-down

Breakdown

Smash out of Shotgun Trips HB Wk pairs a corner route from the outside trips receiver with a hitch/flat route from the slot receiver directly underneath, creating the classic high-low smash concept to the trips side. The backside receiver runs a deep comeback while the HB releases into a flat route away from the trips look, giving the QB a two-way go if the defense overplays the concept side. This is a Cover 2 beater by design: the corner route sits behind the flat defender and in front of the deep safety, forcing a bind on any single-high or two-deep shell, with the primary read progressing from the outside corner route down to the underneath hitch/flat.

Defensive Reads

Watch the corner defender's depth at the snap, if he stays flat footed or bites on the underneath hitch the corner route behind him is wide open. Key the flat defender's leverage, aggressive squat coverage on the hitch route opens a throwing lane to the deeper corner route over the top. Against Cover 3 or single-high looks, the deep third defender can rob the corner route, so be ready to check down to the HB flat or backside comeback. Look for user-controlled defenders sitting in the passing lane between the hitch and corner routes, a lurking safety or linebacker jumping this concept is the biggest threat. Man coverage with no safety help over the top allows the corner route to win on a wheel-out release, but watch for a blitz off the edge attacking the backside comeback protection.

Usage Tips

Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two-deep or single-high safeties because Smash is built specifically to attack Cover 2 and other split-safety shells.

If the corner defender sits deep and hard on the outside route, work the underneath hitch or flat quickly before the flat defender can sink and undercut it.

Hot route the backside comeback into a slant or drag against man coverage if you need a faster underneath option versus press corners.

Use this play on second and medium or third and short to mid distance since the underneath flat/hitch gives a reliable check-down against zone drops.

Sequence Smash with Zona Fade or Zona Slot Out from the same set so the defense has to respect both the high-low corner concept and the fade shots, keeping safeties honest.

Other Plays in Trips HB Wk