Smash Passing Concept out of 3 X 1 Spread
The Smash Passing Concept is one of the best passing concepts in football. Smash is a concept that works very well against all types of coverage. Smash is one of the most popular concepts from high school all the way up to the pros. However, it is a pass play that isn’t utilized enough on the youth football level. This concept can be execute out of pretty much any formation. You don’t have to spread the field to run Smash. This play does have the X run a dig route, rather than a hitch/smash route, but we still consider this a variation of the Smash Concept. The only real issue with 3 x 1 formation is that it difficult to pick up blitzes because you only have 6 blockers. Edge pressure/blitzes are difficult to pick up. However, there are certain things you can do to beat those blitzes.
Smash Passing Concept out of 3 X 1 Spread
I like the Smash Passing Concept out of 3 x 1 because it attacks all levels of the defense. It’s almost like a three tier flood- there is a receiving threat at all levels of the defense. This formation will stretch the defense out horizontally. When you spread defenses out horizontally, you will create natural running lanes, good player/receiver match ups, and you force the defense defend the entire width of the field. You can see that to the trips side you have three throwing options. To the single receiver side you have several options as well.
Related Content: Smash Passing Concept and Variations
I do like to have the single receiver (Y) run a post. This will force the defense to keep the safety in the middle of the field. If that safety is flying over the top of the corner route, you will have the backside post wide open. You can also have the (Y) line up really wide and run a slant or if your (Y) is a good receiver you can have him run a fade/vertical route.
Center: Pass block.
Right Guard: Inside-over pass blocking.
Right Tackle: Inside-over pass blocking.
Left Guard: Inside-over pass blocking.
Left Tackle: Inside-over pass blocking.
(Y): Post pattern.
(X): Dig route, find hole and sit.
(S): Now Screen route.
(Z): Corner route. Drive route up field and break to the corner.
(QB): Catch snap, look to hit the corner route. If you are facing a blitz or the defense is playing off coverage, you can hit the (S) on the Now route.
(2): Pass block.
Related Content: Wide Receiver Route Running Techniques
Coaching Points
- Receivers need to drive their routes up the field then break into their routes. When you drive your route up field if pushes the defender back, and it makes them have to defend a left break, right break, a vertical, and stop route.
- Pass blocking needs to be practiced. This formation doesn’t have a lot of pass blocking options. It really puts your offensive linemen in one on one pass blocking situation.
- You can put the half-back off set to the side you need extra blocking support. You can also slide the pass protection and have the half-back block opposite.
- Put the trips to the wide side of the field so that you can stretch the defense out horizontally and it will give your receivers more field to work their routes.
