What They Do: Smash Concept – Part I

In this new segment,  I am going to start talking about how offenses attack coverages in the secondary via concepts,  route combinations and techniques.  Once you understand what the offense is trying to do,  it becomes easier for you to operate within your own defense to stop it.

IN this article I am going to talk about a very basic concept used by offenses to attack 2 high coverages and in particular Cover 2.  For you newbies,  the term “2 high” means two safeties deep aligned on the hashes.

I am not sure who invented the smash concept but I do know who made it popular.  IN the early and mid-90’s  Steve Spurrier’s offenses at the University of Florida basically made a living off of this concept attacking Cover 2 which had become a popular defense to run.  With the success of the Miami Hurricanes defensively in the 80’s running Cover 2,  many college programs began copying the defense with success.  With that being the case,  it became necessary for offenses to find a way to attack this coverage and either move the ball consistently against it or get the defense to switch to something else they were more familiar with.

Enter the smash concept.  Based on the knowledge that the safeties had a deep 1/2 of the field responsibility in this coverage and that the cornerbacks had flat responsibilities,  the smash concept was deployed to take advantage of these assignments.  First,  as most good passing games do,  they make good use of leverage.  So,  the slot receivers run vertically at the safeties and then at about a depth of 10-12 yards,  put their foot in the ground and break sharply for the corner.  In anticipation of this break,  the QB releases the ball and turns it into a footrace to the corner that the WR should win since he’s breaking there first.

To ensure that the space at the corner is available,  the pass concept has to occupy the cornerbacks.  If the receivers lined up wide go deep,  they will draw the cornerbacks into the deep outside and risk having them intercept the ball.  So,  offenses running the smash concept have the #1 receivers to each side run hitch routes at 5 yards.  Those hitch routes take care of the flat responsibility of the cornerbacks.  This keeps them up close and opens up the space behind them for the corner routes.  <see diagram below>

Some defenses teach the cornerbacks to abandon the hitch routes in the flat if the slot receivers are running up the field in anticipation of the corner route.  In that case,  the quarterback will then throw to the WR on the hitch.  It’s the basic “high / low” concept in which the offense runs a receiver in front of a defender to distract him and send a WR behind for a big play.  It was solid concept to attack a basic coverage that was beating up offenses. To allow time for the QB to go through his reads,  the running back would step up and help with pass protection.

Of course,  the defenses had to make adjustments and so the Smash Concept received some alterations including an increased role for the running back in the smash concept.  I will discuss them in my next article on the Smash Concept.

If you have any questions or comments on the article or on the member’s area,  feel free to email me at: cwilson@alleyesdbcamp.com – Thank you for being a member.

• Author
• Recent Posts

alleyesdbcamp

Owner at All Eyes DB Camp

Chad Wilson is the founder of All Eyes DB Camp and a former standout defensive back for the Miami Hurricanes. After an elite collegiate career, Wilson spent a season with the Seattle Seahawks before transitioning into coaching. A 3-time Florida state champion defensive coordinator, he has spent over 20 years developing the "All Eyes" blueprint that has produced NFL All-Pros and stars like Xavien Howard, Patrick Surtain II, Tyson Campbell, Minkah Fitzpatrick and more. His coaching system is proven at the highest levels—his own sons, Quincy and Marco Wilson, both excelled as starters in the SEC before being drafted into the NFL.

Chad is the author of "101 DB Tips"—The Ultimate DB Reference Guide. You can find more information on the manual and how to order your copy in the sidebar and footer of this page.

Latest posts by alleyesdbcamp (see all)

• These 4 Drills Will Drastically Improve Your Off Man Coverage - February 25, 2026
• How Elite DBs Read Route Concepts Before the Snap - February 25, 2026
• When it Comes to Playing DB…. Smooth is Fast - February 18, 2026