Smash is a two-man route combination that attacks Cover 2 by putting the corner in conflict with a hitch underneath and corner route behind. It's one of football's best answers to two-deep coverage.
Overview
Smash is designed specifically to attack Cover 2 coverage. The outside receiver runs a 5-6 yard hitch, while the inside receiver runs a corner route behind him. This puts the cornerback in an impossible bind - if he sinks with the corner, throw the hitch; if he jumps the hitch, throw the corner.
The concept takes advantage of Cover 2's inherent weakness: the cornerback must cover both the flat and help on deep routes. Smash exploits this by attacking both areas simultaneously with just two receivers.
Smash is a foundational concept that every quarterback should master. It's particularly effective in the red zone, where the corner route can threaten the back pylon, and against teams that play heavy Cover 2.
History & Origin
Smash became a staple of the "Air Coryell" offense as a way to attack the Cover 2 defenses that were becoming popular. The concept's simplicity and effectiveness made it a universal football concept.
Key Principles
- 1Outside receiver runs 5-6 yard hitch
- 2Inside receiver runs corner route behind the hitch
- 3Read the cornerback: sink = throw hitch, jump = throw corner
- 4Designed specifically to attack Cover 2
- 5Corner route should break at 10-12 yards
- 6Timing: hitch is quick, corner takes longer
- 7Works from any formation with two receivers to one side
When to Use
Smash is the go-to concept against Cover 2. Use it whenever you get two-deep coverage, particularly in the red zone where the corner route threatens the back pylon. It's excellent against quarters coverage as well.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Specifically designed to beat Cover 2
- +Simple two-man concept
- +Creates easy read for quarterback
- +Corner route provides big-play potential
- +Effective in red zone
Disadvantages
- −Less effective against Cover 3 and Cover 4
- −Corner route takes time to develop
- −Requires quarterback to see coverage
- −Hitch can be jumped by aggressive corners
What Coaches Call It
Different coaches use different terminology for the same concepts.
| Coach | Team | Their Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Martz | — | Smash | Greatest Show on Turf staple |
| Sean Payton | Saints | Smash | Standard terminology |
| Andy Reid | Chiefs | Smash | Red zone favorite |
What You Need
Skills and jobs required to run this scheme effectively.
Critical
Corner route must threaten deep
Beat defender deep with speed. Pure speed and release moves.
High
High-low read on corner defender
Pre-snap identification and post-snap adjustment. Film study and pattern recognition.
Hitch must sit in window vs zone
Find void in zone coverage and settle. Read coverage and communicate with QB.
Medium
Throw corner route before break
Throw before receiver breaks open. Trust, timing, and ball placement.
Matchups
Good Against
- +Cover 2
- +Cover 2 Man
- +Quarters coverage
- +Two-high safeties
Avoid Against
- −Cover 3
- −Cover 1
- −Single-high safeties
- −Heavy pressure
Installation
What You Need
Prerequisites for running this scheme effectively.
- ✓WR who can run corner route
- ✓QB who can identify Cover 2 pre-snap
When NOT to Use This
- !Don't call against single-high coverage
- !Corner route can be jumped if thrown late
- !Need to confirm Cover 2 pre-snap
Technical Variations
2 concepts in the Eyes Up playbook use this scheme.
Smash Left
LEFTPASS2-receiver high-low concept - Left
Position Assignments
RECEIVING
#1 receiver runs hitch route in smash concept
#2 receiver runs corner route in smash concept
PASSING
QB reads coverage and makes protection calls