Playbooks

Mtn Smash Choice

Shotgun·Y Trips Wk·11
Option RouteCornerCurlSwingPass Play

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

Mtn Smash Choice runs out of Shotgun Y Trips Wk with 11 personnel, pairing a classic Smash concept (corner and hitch) to the trips side with a choice route element that lets the slot or inside receiver adjust based on coverage leverage. The three man side blocks a standard pass protection look while the backside single receiver runs an isolation route to hold the corner honest. This is primarily a man beater since the choice route is designed to break away from tight coverage, though the hitch underneath also gives you a quick answer against soft zone drops. The primary read progression starts with the corner route on the top of the Smash concept, works down to the hitch underneath if the corner is taken away, and checks to the choice route for the built in adjustment against blitz or off coverage.

Defensive Reads

Identify the flat or curl defender to the trips side before the snap, since he is the key conflict player who has to cover both the hitch and choice route. Watch the corner alignment on the outside receiver, if he is playing tight man with no safety help deep, expect the corner route to win over the top. Post snap, track any user controlled defender flashing down into the shallow area, since a well timed lurk can jump the hitch route and bait a bad throw. This concept struggles against a true Cover 2 shell with two deep safeties, since the corner route runs directly into the deep half defender. Look for blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the choice route is designed to convert into a quick breaking route that beats man pressure before the pocket collapses.

Usage Tips

Check the corner pre snap to see if he is playing outside leverage or bailing deep, since that dictates whether the corner route or hitch is the better initial target.

Use the choice route as your answer against man coverage with no help over the top, and hot route it into a slant if you see a blitz creeping toward the trips side.

This play works best on second and medium or third and short since the hitch route offers a safe underneath conversion if the corner route is covered.

Pair this play in your call sheet with Mtn RPO Base Alert Smash or Mtn PA Smash Scissors, since both share the same trips alignment and force the defense to respect both the RPO and play action look before you come back to the straight drop back version.

Look to attack Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells where the flat defender has to choose between the hitch and the choice route, creating natural conflict for a single defender.

Other Plays in Y Trips Wk