Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 11 playbooks
Breakdown
WR Smash out of Trips X Nasty pairs a corner route from the outside trips receiver with a hitch/flat route underneath from the slot, creating the classic high-low smash concept against the top of the defense. On the backside, the single X receiver runs a deep vertical to hold the cornerback and safety, while the inside trips receiver runs a corner breaking route underneath toward the numbers. This is a Cover 2 beater by design, using the corner route to stretch the deep half safety while the flat route occupies the underneath defender, and the primary read progression starts with the trips side corner route, works down to the flat route, then checks the backside vertical if the safety jumps the corner.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, identify two deep safeties splitting the field evenly since that Cover 2 shell is exactly what the corner over flat combo is designed to defeat. Watch the flat defender post snap, if he sinks with the corner route instead of staying on the flat receiver, the underneath route will be wide open for an easy completion. Key the deep half safety on the trips side, if he stays flat footed or bites on the flat route, the corner route will beat him over the top before he can recover. Man coverage with a single high safety takes away the leverage advantage of the corner route, since a trailing cornerback can undercut it without safety help needed. Watch for a user controlled defender lurking in the passing lane of the corner route, since a smart user rat can jump that throw and turn it into a pick six if the quarterback does not see him drop.
Usage Tips
Look for two safeties splitting the field pre snap since this play is built to attack Cover 2 shells where the corner route climbs over the cornerback before the safety can rotate over the top.
Hot route the backside X vertical into a comeback or dig if you see man coverage across the board, since the deep clear-out is less useful against man defenders who can trail routes.
Use this on second and medium or third and short to medium distances where the flat route underneath the corner is a easy pitch and catch versus zone drops that sit short.
Pair this call with Snag Slot Digs or Quick Short Post from the same set so you can dictate to a defense sitting on the smash concept after seeing it once.
If the user drops a defender into the passing lane on the corner route, reset to the flat route immediately since the low read is designed to be open versus banjo coverage on the corner.
