Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
26 Duo Alert X Smoke is a run play with a built in alert route that gives the quarterback a pre-snap check against soft coverage. The diagram shows the X receiver on the left running a quick smoke screen (arrow route) that can be thrown immediately if the corner plays off, while the Duo blocking scheme up front pulls the offensive line to double team the play side defensive tackle and climb to the second level for the running back's downhill run. Post snap the primary read is whether to check to the X Smoke throw based on cornerback depth, and if the alert is off, the running back reads the double team and presses the hole created by the Duo blocking before bursting through the alley created by the TE and slot alignment on the right.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the cornerback depth on the X receiver side, since off coverage or soft zone invites the smoke alert and shallow blitz-heavy fronts get exposed by the Duo double team. Watch for a linebacker or slot defender sitting flat footed in a short zone drop, as this is a sign the defense is playing a zone shell that the smoke route can exploit before the underneath defender reacts. If the defense shows a stacked box with linebackers crowding the line pre-snap, expect the Duo run to get met quickly, so the offense should be ready to check to the alert smoke instead. Man coverage with the corner playing press bump and run technique is the biggest threat to this play, since it removes the easy smoke throw and forces the running back into a loaded box. User controlled defenders flowing hard downhill on run recognition can blow up the Duo double team, so watch linebacker depth and whether the Mike is stepping up aggressively before the snap to anticipate a quick fill.
Usage Tips
Check the cornerback over the X receiver before the snap, if he is playing seven yards or deeper off the line, throw the alert smoke screen immediately for a free five to seven yard gain.
If the corner is pressed or sitting in the flat at three to four yards, take the play as a Duo run and trust the double team up front to create a vertical crease for downhill running.
Use this play on early downs in run heavy personnel to keep defenses honest, since the alert route punishes teams that sub in soft zone shells expecting run.
Pair this call with 26 Duo and HB Blunt Dive earlier in a series so defenses start keying the run action, then hit them with the X Smoke alert or PA Y-Drag Wheel off similar formation for a play-action counter.
Avoid calling this against aggressive man press corners who jump the smoke route, since the alert has no double move to protect it if the defender reads it early.
