The Universal Route That Is Good Versus Any Coverage

by: Jimbo Fisher
Offensive Coordinator, LSU
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In today's World of multiple defenses, getting the right play called at the proper time is becoming harder and harder. The answer to this problem has come down to a couple of potential solutions. One is the audible, which everybody uses. The problem with this is that a defense can audible when you audible, or they can simply change their defensive coverage on the snap of the ball. The other answer is to call universal routes that can adapt to any coverage with a few basic and simple reads.

One of these routes is the smash route. The smash route is basically a two-man route. It consists of the outside offensive player running a 5-to 6-yard hitch route and the inside offensive player running an eight step or 12 yard smash route. We call this a smash route because the route, will be read at the break point. (See Diagram 1)

The smash route is a versatile route good vs. all coverages. The inside receiver is the one who does the reading. Versus zone coverage, he reads the corners depth. There are other variables of the defense that can be read also, but by reading the corner, this is the simplest way and it eliminates complicating the procedure.

Coverages basically fall into 3 families, Cover 3, Cover 2, and Man Coverage. Versus Cover 3 the outside receiver will run a 5-to 6-yard hitch route. He will sit for one second then slide outside, never getting closer than three yards from the sideline. The inside receiver will run eight steps or 12 yards. While he is running, he will try to avoid contact with a defender and read the depth of the corner. If at his break point the corner is even or higher than he is, he will turn outside and sit down approximately one yard outside his original alignment. This will create a curl flat concept. (See Diagram 2)

Versus cover 2 the outside receiver will run a 5-to 6-yard hitch. He will sit for one second, then he will slide out to the sideline, never getting closer than three yards from the sideline. The inside receiver will run the smash. The receiver will again avoid collision and read the depth of the corner. He must also run the stem of his route from the alignment of the safety that is over top of him. He must square up the safety. His angle to the corner will depend upon the safety. He will take as much room as the safety will allow. We tell him to stay as high as possible then react down to the ball. (See Diagram 3)

Versus 1/4's, which is in the Cover 2 family, the outside receiver will run a 5-to 6-yard hitch. He will sit for one second, then he will slide out to the sideline, never getting closer than three yards from the sideline. The inside receiver will run the smash. The receiver will avoid collision and read the depth of the corner. He must also run the stem of his route from the alignment of the safety that is over the top of him. He must square up the safety. If the corner stays high, the receiver must turn out and sit down. It is important that the receiver keeps the safety pinned on his hip, and does not allow him to come under him. This will create a curl-flat concept. This is generally not a good concept against 1/4's coverage but when it is done this way it cam be effective. (See Diagram 4)

Versus man coverage the smash route is also an effective route. The outside receiver will run a 5-6 yard hitch if the corner is soft. He will sit for 1 second and slide out as if it is zone coverage. If the corner is pressed, the receiver will release inside versus the corner and go 5-7 steps inside as if he is running a crossing route. He will then stop and whip back outside. (See Diagram 5)

This will allow the QB time to read the inside receiver and not make the outside receiver a dead receiver. The inside receiver will run a smash. He will not sit it down versus man coverage. He will run the corner. If the defender is inside, then the receiver will go his 8 steps of 12 yards and make his break. The angle will depend whether the defender is on his hip low or his shoulder high. If the defender is low on the receiver's hip, then the angle will be high. If the defender is high on the receiver's shoulder, then the angle will be flatter. (See Diagram 6)

If the defender plays outside leverage man, then the receiver must react differently. The receiver should try an outside release, but if he cannot, then he must release vertically and try to outrun the defender. As he goes vertical, he should try and cut the defender off and get on top of the defender. If the defender is on the low hip then the angle of the route will be high. (See Diagram 7)

If the defender is high on the receiver's outside shoulder then the receiver should swim under and flatten the route. (See Diagram 8)

Splits and Alignments

If the ball is on the hash and the receivers are to the short side of the field, alignment of the outside receiver is 5 yards from the sideline. The alignment of the inside receiver is then determined by splitting the difference between the outside receiver and the offensive tackle. (See Diagram 9)

If the ball is in the middle of the field, then the outside receiver should be at the bottom of the numbers. The inside receiver should split the difference between the outside receiver and the tackle. (See Diagram 10)

If the ball is on the hash, and the receivers are to the field, then the outside receiver should be 8 yards outside the hash. The inside receiver should be on the hash. (See Diagram 11)

Note: The outside receiver should be off the ball and the inside receiver should be on the ball.

The QB Steps and Reads

The QB will take a 5-step drop from underneath the center. If he is in the shotgun formation, he will take a 3-step drop. This will also include a hitch at the end of the drop.

The QB must recognize the coverage. His biggest distinction must be to determine whether it is zone or man coverage. Then his next distinction is to determine whether it is a soft corner or hard corner coverage.

If it is a soft corner coverage such as cover 3 or cover 4 (1/4's), then the QB will keep his eyes inside to hold the curl-flat defender inside so that he can throw the hitch route. This will also allow him to see if the curl-flat defender runs to the hitch and in turn allows him to throw the sit down read of the smash quicker.

If the coverage is a hard corner coverage such as coverage 2, the QB will hold the safety on the hash with his eyes and read the corner. We tell him to hold the safety so the smash has as much room as possible. When the QB is reading the corner, he must read the depth of the corner and his shoulder angle. Obviously, if the corner sinks deep, he should throw the hitch, and if the corner sits short then the QB must throw the smash. The problem occurs when the corner is in-between. This is where the shoulder angle becomes very important. If the corner's shoulders are square and facing forward toward the hitch, then it is ok to throw the smash over his head. If his shoulders are facing towards the QB and he can see both receivers, he is baiting the QB into throwing the smash. The QB should keep his eyes high and throw the hitch.

If it is man coverage then the QB should think heavy on the smash, but you still must read the route. If the defense is playing loose man coverage and the corner stays deep, then the QB should throw the hitch. If it is press man, then the QB will look to the smash, and if he feels he can hit the smash then he should throw the smash. If the receiver is jammed up or not open, then the QB can come back to the whip route that the outside receiver runs versus press coverage.

Ball Placement By The QB

This is often an under coached part of the play. The placement of the ball is the key to YACC yards (yards after catch). When the QB is throwing the hitch, he should place the ball in the middle of the receiver's numbers to the outside armpit. This will allow the receiver to spin outside versus a soft corner coverage. You want to do this because the defender closest to you should be the curl-flat defender coming inside out. This will also avoid a high collision at the time of the reception, which could cause an interception or fumble.

When the QB is facing a 2 deep or hard corner coverage, the corner is often the closest defender. The ball then should be in the middle of the receiver's numbers to the inside armpit. I know you are thinking that he should throw the smash, but I am talking about the corner sinking slightly and turning his shoulders to bait the QB into throwing the smash. The QB should throw the ball to the inside armpit because the curl defender will often sink with the vertical push of the smash. The QB must judge for himself who is the closest defender and throw the ball accordingly.

When the QB is throwing the sit down read of the smash, the ball should be thrown to the middle of the receiver's numbers to the outside armpit. The QB throws the ball here because the curl-flat defender has taken the hitch, and the next defender will be an inside out defender being either the inside linebacker of the 1/4's safety.

When the QB is throwing the corner read of the smash, versus cover 2, he must throw the ball as high as the safety will allow. The receiver is going to stay as high as possible, and the QB should throw the ball to the up field arm of the receiver. Never miss short or inside; this will result in an interception. If the QB misses, he should always miss long and outside. The QB should put touch on the ball but never hang it up for a jump ball. It should be a firm throw.

Versus man coverage, it depends on where the defender is. If he is on the low hip, then the ball should be thrown up to the up field shoulder of the receiver. If the defender is on the up field shoulder, then the ball will be thrown harder and flatter to the outside, but still should be thrown to the up field shoulder.

In conclusion, the smash route is an easy concept to learn. It is a very universal route that adapts to all situations. It is easy to read for the QB and gives the QB an easy throw if things do not look right. There are other variations of the route when a #3 receiver is added, but the outside two receivers are the important ones. Maybe the most important thing to remember about the smash is to be patient and content with throwing the hitch, do not force the smash.


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