Smash diagram
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Outside receivers hitch at five yards and the slots run corner routes over the top. QB reads the outside defender on one side.
When to call Smash
Call it when the defense is in zone and the outside short defenders are sitting at 4 or 5 yards. One defender has a short route in front of him and a deeper route behind him, and he can only take one.
It fits second and medium, or any down where you want a safe short throw with a chance at 12 to 15 yards.
Smash: each player's job
QB
Pick a side before the snap. The diagram reads the right. Watch the outside short defender on that side and throw the route he leaves, the hitch to Z or the corner to Y.
C
Snap, go 5 yards and turn around in the middle. You hold the middle short defender and give QB a third option.
X
Wide left. Run 5 yards, stop and turn back to QB with your hands up. Stay there.
Z
Wide right. Hitch at 5 yards. If the short defender backs up under the corner route, the ball is coming to you.
Y
Right slot. Push straight upfield for 7 or 8 yards, then break at an angle toward the right sideline. Look over your outside shoulder for the ball.
H
Left slot. Your corner route breaks toward the left sideline at the same depth as Y's.
What the quarterback looks at
QB looks at one defender, the outside short defender on the chosen side. If he drops back to get under the corner route, throw the hitch right away. If he stays on the hitch, throw the corner over his head and in front of the deep defender.
Against a 3-3 the deep outside defender can widen to take the corner. When that happens the hitch is usually open, and C is sitting alone in the middle.
How to teach Smash at practice
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Walk the two routes on one side with no ball. Put a cone at 8 yards to show the slot where to break.
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Throw the corner route with no defense. QB aims for a spot 12 to 15 yards deep and a few yards inside the sideline, and the receiver runs to the ball.
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Add a coach as the outside short defender. He either backs up or stays, and QB throws the other route.
Common mistakes
- The corner route breaks too flat and runs out of bounds. Break at about 45 degrees and aim for a cone in the deep corner.
- The hitch receiver drifts upfield after turning, which drags his defender into the corner route. Stop at 5 and stay.
- QB throws the corner late and the deep defender gets there. The ball should leave as the slot makes his break.
Smash FAQ
Why does smash beat a zone defense?
It puts two receivers in one defender's area at different depths. The outside short defender cannot cover the hitch and the corner route at once. QB throws to the one he leaves.
Does smash work in 6v6 flag football against man coverage?
It can. The corner route breaks away from a defender who is playing inside, so a quick slot can win it.
How far should a youth quarterback throw the corner route?
About 12 to 15 yards downfield for 10U and older. If your quarterback cannot make that throw yet, have the slot break at 6 yards so the ball travels about 10.
This play is drawn against 3-3 zone defense.
More plays: all 6v6 flag football plays. Draw your own in the flag football play designer.