HB Smash

Key the flat defender at the snap since he determines whether you throw underneath or attack vertically with the corner route. Watch for a single high safety rotating down, which signals man coverage or Cover 3 and can shut down the smash concept if the corner route runs into help. Diagnose linebacker depth pre-snap since shallow linebackers can undercut the flat route and jump the rollout throw. Look for edge pressure or a contain defender crashing the backfield fake, which threatens the QB rollout and forces an early checkdown or scramble. This concept struggles against a hard Cover 2 corner press-baiting the flat with a deep half safety sitting on the corner route, so avoid this play if you see that exact coverage disguise post-snap.