The smash is a route combination the 49ers use often when trying to bust zone coverage. Against SEA, they used it at least 5 times. Against TB, that went majority man coverage, the 49ers used it twice. Against ATL, who mixed their coverage around, the 49ers used it on plays: 6, 10, 12, 17 (thumbnails post #13 of this thread). Only 21 pass attempts were accounted for. If a defense plays zone against the 49ers, they will need to defend this route combination. I thought ATL did a good job of mixing man and zone so the smash had mixed results.
Outside WR can run a hitch/curl/in route. Inside WR runs a corner route to vertically stretch the sideline CB.
#6 Below: 49ers use a mesh(rub) on one side and a smash concept on the other.
Below: ATL rushes 6. Kap identifies the blitz (man coverage) and looks to the mesh as his first read (man coverage buster).
The play: Kap sees the numbers of the CB so he stands tall and puts it up for a back shoulder throw, a perfect one. The smash concept was properly not looked to by Kap.
#10 Below: This play broken down by jonnydel in post #27. I originally thought the playcall was bad against the defense, but it was not as they ran this against a tampa2 (Cover3, 4 zone underneath). In theory, this playcall will bust the zone coverage.
Below: I'm going to be a bit more critical of Kap as I thought this was the window to throw to and he actually pump fakes (thought about it). The CB squatted on Crabs' hitch. This should open an area for Vance to run into behind the CB, and for Kap to throw to. The deep safety breaks on the ball and would have made it a catch with a quick hit for contact, a bang bang play. Kap didn't take the risk, and got 6 yards on a checkdown.
The play: Perhaps if Kap looked to his left first (instead of his right), he would have seen the CB tight on Crabs. Instead, once he looks to his left, he then hesitates a bit and the window is closed by the safety identifying the corner route and closing in. Good pass protection to allow a 5th read.
#12 Below: This is the play Kap under threw VD, or VD can't catch a low pass - depends how we look at it. It's a good playcall here as ATL goes zone coverage.
Below: Not sure what the DB (arrow) is looking at as he allows VD to get behind him.
The play: I think this is zone coverage as the ATL defenders don't follow on the criss cross, and also by that CB that was peeking into the backfield. The 49ers greatly exaggerate the hitch to pull the CB in close to allow the corner routes room to work. (Patton is running the corner route at the bottom of the screen). So the playcall got a guy open. Just didn't execute on the throw and catch.
#17 Below: 49ers add a wrinkle to the smash and adds Gore's swing route to further stretch the sideline defender.
Below: The LB (at midfield) takes a false step towards Vance on the corner route. The LB (on the 46 yard line) is giving room to Gore to stay near Boldin. Because Kap has rolled to his right, the throw to Boldin is short. Coupled with Kap's arm, only the slightest separation is necessary.
The play: 49ers love to smash zone coverage.
[ Edited by thl408 on Dec 27, 2013 at 11:57 PM ]