Football Library · Plays
Smash· 11v11 Tackle
High-low corner-flat combo. Outside receiver runs a hitch / short curl (4-6 yds) underneath; inside receiver (slot in 5v5/6v6/7v7, TE/Y in tackle) runs a corner (12-15 yds) over the top. Beats Cover 2 — the corner takes the flat receiver, the safety can't cover the corner.
Coaching breakdown
Smash — High-low corner-flat combo. Outside receiver runs a hitch / short curl (4-6 yds) underneath; inside receiver (slot in 5v5/6v6/7v7, TE/Y in tackle) runs a corner (12-15 yds) over the top. Beats Cover 2 — the corner takes the flat receiver, the safety can't cover the corner. reads Spread Doubles: take the open window — work the progression below in order.
Progression:
- 13-yd corner — back-pylon attack — vacates the curl/flat window for the next read.
- 5-yd hitch — rhythm throw — eyes back on three; take it if the corner plays off.
- 18-yd go — clear the deep safety; throw if the corner gives a soft shoulder.
- 3-yd drag — settle in the underneath window — keep eyes on the QB.
- 4-yd flat — outlet — last in the progression; take it on pressure or no read open.
- : pass protect.
- : pass protect.
- : pass protect.
- : pass protect.
- : pass protect.
When to call it
Cover-2 killer — the corner over the top puts the safety in a no-win choice and the hitch underneath is the safe check-down. Reliable on 1st-and-10 or 2nd-and-medium against a 2-shell team.
Common mistakes
- Corner depth too shallow — the safety squeezes it. Aim for 12-15 yards before the break.
- Hitch settles at the wrong depth; should be at 5 yards with eyes back to the QB by the third step.
- QB throws the hitch first against zone — wrong read. Check the corner first, dump the hitch if covered.
- Receivers cross the same vertical lane and create traffic. Outside should win to the sideline; corner climbs to the boundary.