Understanding the Run & Shoot Hook Package

The Run & Shoot Hook Package is a simple combination of the ubiquitous Smash concept and a seam read.  Against zone defenses the Smash concept places a vertical strain on the defense near the sideline while the seam read forces the defense to respect the middle of the field and not overplay the smash concept.  While against man the Smash concept begins to vaguely resemble the levels concept with two routes crossing directly in front of the quarterback.

Again I will be providing the play description and reads from the 1992 NJ-NY Knights playbook along with diagrams.

Hook

Quarterback Reads:

3 Deep Coverage

-You are reading the play of the Cornerback.  If the Cornerback plays off from the hook route, then you will hit the Z-Back.  If the Cornerback plays the hook route, then you will hit the A-Back running the skinny flag route behind the Cornerback.  If you cannot get the ball to either receiver, then your 3rd look is to the Y-Back going back across the middle of the field.  This is a role and set technique like the Choice Route.

2 Deep Coverage

-You are reading the play of the Cornerback.  If the Cornerback plays off from the hook route, then you will hit the Z-Back.  If the Cornerback plays the hook route, then you will hit the A-Back running the skinny flag route behind the Cornerback.  If you cannot get the ball to either receiver, then your 3rd look is to the Y-Back going back across the middle of the field.  This is a role and set technique like the Choice Route.

2 Man Under Coverage

-You read progression is the same as against Man Free Coverage.

Man Free Coverage

-Your 1st look is to the A-Back, your 2nd is to the Y-Back and your 3rd is to the Z-Back.  If you get a blitzing linebacker, then your read progression will change to the A-Back as your 1st look and the Z-Back is your 2nd look.

Blitz Coverage

-Your 1st look is the Y-Back on the Post and your 2nd look is to the Z-Back on the quick In.

 

Y-Back (1 Slot):

3 Deep Coverage

-You are running straight up field and picking up the Free Safety.  You will then break across the face of the Free Safety.  If the Free Safety comes out of the hold towards you, then you need to break it more like a skinny post.  If the Free Safety stays in the hole, then break your more flat across the middle.

2 Deep Coverage

-You are running up field reading the half field Safety.  You will be making the same seam read as in the Choice route, either the skinny post or the crossing pattern.

2 Man Under Coverage

-You are first defeating the man covering you and then you are using the seam read as in Choice Special.

Man Free Coverage

-You are going up field and defeating the defender who is covering you, and then you are going to make a speed cut to the inside of the Free Safety.

Blitz Coverage

-You are running a quick Post pattern at the depth of the player defending you.

A-Back (2 Slot):

3 Deep Coverage

-You are running up field and avoiding contact from the Strong Safety.  After avoiding the Strong Safety, you are going to make your break to a skinny flag pattern at the depth of the Cornerback.  This could happen at any time during the play.

2 Deep Coverage

-You are making your read off from the play of the Cornerback.  You will then break to the skinny flag at the depth of the Cornerback.  If the half field Safety tries to come over to help the Cornerback, then you must flatten out your route a little bit.  You also have to contend with the Linebacker as you are in the beginning of your route.

2 Man Under Coverage

-You are first defeating the man covering you and then you are breaking to the Flag route to the open area of the coverage.

Man Free Coverage

-You are going upfield to the depth of 10 to 12 yards, and then you are going to break to the flag route.  If the defender is playing high on you, then you will break to the Out route at the depth of 10 to 12 yards.  If the defender is playing you very tight, then you will use a stick & go move to freeze the defender and then break to the flag.

Blitz Coverage

-You are running a quick Flag pattern at the depth of the player defending you.

 

Z-Back (3 Slot):

3 Deep Coverage

-You are running a hook route to the inside at the depth of 8 to 10 yards.  Then you will be working back to the Quarterback, this could be to the inside or the outside.

2 Deep Coverage

-You are running the Hook route at a depth of 8 to 10 yards.  If the Cornerback comes up to play press coverage on you, then make contact with him.  This will make it easier for the Y-Back to get to the weak area of the zone.

2 Man Under Coverage

-You are using a jab step to the inside, then to an outside release up field to the depth of 6 to 8 yards and then you will break to the In route.

Man Free Coverage

-You are going up field to the depth of 6 to 8 yards and then breaking to the In route.

Blitz Coverage

-You are running a quick In pattern at the depth of the player defending you.

X-Back:

3 Deep Coverage-You are running the wheel route.

2 Deep Coverage-You are running the wheel route to stretch the half field safety.

2 Man Under Coverage-You are running the wheel route.

Man Free Coverage-You are running the wheel route.

Blitz Coverage-You are running the wheel route.

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