As Alabama was scoring again...I wondered how did they get sooo wide open. As a Notre Dame fan, it was
difficult for me to watch the first time, but for the sake of learning (and
writing a long overdue blog article) I RE recorded the game. I hate to admit, but I deleted the game as soon as the 4th
quarter was finished... Not to confuse this with when the game was over, which
could have been end of the FIRST quarter!
Most of the deep routes were a pretty
typical CORNER route, but could it be the traditional SMASH CONCEPT that beats
Cover Two?
SIDE NOTE: I have always loved the SMASH
CONCEPT and it had been a staple part of our offense. The problem we had was
the Cornerback's drop. Some of the cornerbacks we faced were able to squat on the
HITCH then rally to the CORNER or cloud the read of the QB just enough to
frustrate us… Luckily we discover the SNAG or SCAT CONCEPT.
Okay, back to the game, or beat down… Alabama was creative in how they kept the
coverage of the corner back low. Not a traditional HITCH route which is
normally paired with the CORNER. They
used a delay arrow (or flats) route and a pivot route.
The Tide also used three other components
- PLAY ACTION: It seemed like almost every pass was PLAY ACTION. It helps to have an impressive run game. But they also utilized it on FIRST DOWN!
- COMPRESSED FORMATIONS: Basic tight BUNCH set or 2x2 formation.
- MOTION: They would motion from Bunch or TE Trips to a 2x2 formation.
Some of the plays I was able to get the down and distance. I had planned to get some screen shots ala SMART FOOTBALL, but I am still a rookie when it comes to that technological savvy.
One of the final pass plays wasn't the SMASH concept, but it looked like the backside WR ran a " Y CROSS " type route.
