2023 Packers Smash Concepts

How Green Bay designs their Smash patterns to attack all coverage.

When I watch film and study offenses, I look for patterns. What plays do offensive coordinators continually go back to, and how do they window-dress them?

We’ve already seen that the Packers loved the stick concept.

2023 Packers Stick Concept

When they wanted to attack downfield, one of their most consistent route combinations was Smash. Before we dive into the Packers’ Smash variations let’s talk about what Smash is.

What is a stretch?

Before we get into Smash specifically, let’s talk about a “stretch” on a defender. A stretch is when you put at least two routes (can be more) at different levels in the same area meant to overload that defender’s area. These are used to attack zone defenders.

That isolated defender is now in a bind. Whichever route that defender chooses to cover, the quarterback will throw to the other.

Let’s look at different stretches the Packers use in their Smash routes.

What is Smash?

Football terms are not universal, so it is important to establish what I mean by certain terms. “Smash” refers to a high/low stretch on the corner. Typically a corner route (Fs route above) with an underneath route. The diagram above displays the classic version of Smash.

Corner Route - 6-8 steps. The landmark is the front pylon. If the team is in the Red Zone, the landmark changes to the back pylon.

As we discussed before, the goal is to isolate the cornerback. If he gets depth, throw the hitch. If he sits on the hitch, throw the corner route.

What’s great about Smash is it can attack multiple coverages. Versus zone coverage, there’s a stretch on the cornerback. If the defense is in man coverage, there aren’t stretches. A defender will be covering each receiver, so there’s no way to overload an area.

Beating man coverage is about using the defender’s leverage against them, and winning 1 on 1. Most teams use inside leverage when playing man coverage, this makes the corner route in Smash a great man-beater. Because most teams run man near the goal line, smash combinations are highly used in the Red Zone.

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