Playbooks

Bounce Shallow Smash

Shotgun·Y Off Trips·11

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Bounce Shallow Smash is a Smash concept variant out of Shotgun Y Off Trips with a bounce blocking scheme built in for the running back, giving you a run-pass mix feel even though this is a drop back pass. The Trips side runs the classic Smash combo, a corner route stacked over a quick hitch or curl, while the shallow crosser drags underneath from the opposite side to give you a fast horizontal answer against pressure or zone. Primary read starts with the shallow drag against zone leverage, then progresses to the corner and hitch combo on the Trips side if the shallow is taken away, using the corner to attack cover 2 or cover 3 flat defenders and the underneath hitch as the man beater rhythm throw.

Defensive Reads

Check safety depth pre-snap, if both safeties sit at 10 to 12 yards it signals cover 2 or cover 4, meaning the shallow drag is your fastest answer before the flat defender can widen. Watch the flat defender or cornerback at the snap, if he sinks with the corner route the hitch underneath will be open in the void, if he sits on the hitch the corner route beats him deep. Identify the middle linebacker or nickel defender assigned to the shallow drag, if he shows blitz or crashes downhill pre-snap, expect a lurk defender sitting in that shallow crossing lane to jump the route. Cover 3 with a hard buzzing safety to the flat can undercut both the hitch and the shallow drag, so be ready to climb the progression quickly to the corner route or your backside checkdown. Man coverage with a single high safety is where this play is most vulnerable to a user blitz off the edge, since the shallow drag takes time to develop, so know your hot route answer before the snap if you see man alignment with pressure indicators.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a shift to identify if the defense is rolling to Trips, since Smash concepts thrive against single high safety looks where the corner route has room to work over the flat defender.

If you see two high safeties pre-snap, prioritize the shallow drag read first since it beats both cover 2 and cover 4 shells before the corner route window closes.

Hot route the backside route to a quick out or speed out if you diagnose man coverage pre-snap, giving yourself an option route answer versus man beaters without needing the full progression.

This play pairs well with HB Zone Toss and Inside Zone in the same set since the bounce action sells outside run action, keeping linebackers honest and opening passing lanes on early downs.

Best called on second and short to second and medium, since the shallow drag is a high percentage completion that keeps you on schedule if the defense sits on the corner route.

Other Plays in Y Off Trips