Playbooks

Smash HB Seam

Shotgun·Wing Slot Offset·12
SeamSmashPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCornerHitchPostSpeed OutWheel
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Superstar HB Agile

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
HB1RightWheel
TE1RightSpeed Out
WR1LeftHitch
WR2LeftCorner
TE2RightPost

Read progression

  1. HB1 right, Wheel
  2. WR1 left, Hitch
  3. WR2 left, Corner
  4. TE2 right, Post
  5. TE1 right, Speed Out

Breakdown

Smash HB Seam is a classic Cover 2 beater built off the Smash concept, pairing a hitch or corner route on the outside with a seam route from the HB attacking the void between the safeties. The blocking scheme keeps the rest of the formation in max protect or half slide since only the seam and smash routes are the primary pass catchers, giving the quarterback a clean pocket to work through the high low read on the corner. The primary progression starts with the HB seam route attacking the middle of the field, then works to the corner route breaking outside if the safety squats to take away the seam.

Defensive Reads

Read the safety depth and width immediately after the snap since a Cover 2 safety who stays flat footed or widens for the corner route opens the seam throwing lane Watch for a user controlled safety sitting in the seam window called a lurk since this is the primary defender who can jump the HB route and bait a turnover Identify if the linebackers are dropping into hook zones or blitzing since a clean pocket is required for the quarterback to progress from seam to corner Check corner positioning pre snap, if the corner is playing deep off coverage the smash route corner concept becomes a low percentage throw and the seam should be the first look Man coverage with underneath help such as Cover 1 or Cover 0 can shut this play down quickly since the seam route loses its natural leverage advantage against a defender playing tight man technique

Usage Tips

Diagnose the safety shell before the snap since this play is designed to punish two high looks, especially Cover 2 and Cover 4 where the corner sits low and invites the seam throw

If the defense shows single high Cover 3 or Cover 1, hot route the seam runner into a quick option or check the corner route since the safety can sink into that seam window without a true deep half responsibility

Use the seam route as a rhythm throw on early downs to keep the defense honest, then come back to Smash or Scissors Smash later in the drive once the defense starts jumping the flat and corner combo

Combine this play with Four Verticals and Double Cross in your play calling sequence so defenses cannot sit on the seam read once they start keying the HB release

This play shines on second and medium to long situations where defenses are more willing to play two high shells, giving the seam route room to work before the safety can rotate down

Other Plays in Wing Slot Offset