Pass Concept #6-The Snag Concept

Another great concepts is the snag concept. This is a staple of Noel Mazzone and his offense and can be run from 2x2 or 3x1 formations.

“Mazzone’s snag concept is one of the best in the game and very difficult to defend.

The beauty of the snag is it puts the outside linebacker in conflict, forcing him to either defend the snag route or the swing route by the running back.  The coaching point on this is the outside wr will run his route at a 45  degree towards the middle of the field. Once he passes the flat defender, usually around 5 yards, he stops and looks for the ball. It is important for the snag runner to attack the inside hip of the DB covering #2 (especially in man) as that may free up the flat route to the RB or #3 depending on the formation.

The number two receiver runs a vertical corner route as there are a few variations that will be added. This is very diffuclt for the safety to defend if the cornerback gets involved on either the snag or the swing route.  The middle linebacker has a tough job as he has a long way to run to get involved with the play, especially if it is run to the wide side of the field in college.

The play is not only effective because the quarterback is given easy passing targets, but because forcing the linebackers to vacate the box so often helps the run game. It is a great concept.

The last part is it is a universal concept which has answers vs every coverage. If you blitz and play man it has great answers as well.

There are 2 major variations and they are as follows. The biggest difference is what teams do with the #2 wr. He can run a post corner or a dig and those are the 2 major variations

Variation #1

#1 snag

#2 post corner

#3 to the flat

Nice job of execution on the bottom of the screen.

Variation #2

#1 snag

#2 runs a dig at about 10-12 yards

#3 to the flat.

If you are running the dig variation you need to make sure you don’t take it with #2 o the other side running a slant or in breaking route.

You can run Friday(#2 on the out with #1 vertical)

You can run #1 on the slant with #2 on the out. Teams have different compliments with the Dig by #2 on the play side(Don’t confuse this with the 3x1 dig by #1 concept way below)

see the spacing with the dig route below which opens for the qb.

It is effective vs cover 2 as you get a nice high low over the curl defender.

Here are some more clips of the basic concept (dig concept to the snag side)

3x1 smash with the bubble vs Cover 4. The Eagles will run a bubble out of 3x1.

flat defender has an issue. Mike doesn’t expand so easy completion on the spot route.

Chiefs 3x1 spot/snag route concept

They run snag routes with #1 and #2, the RB still goes to the flat and the #3 WR runs the CB. They did this a ton with Mahomes his rookie year because it’s an easy read for a young QB.

Here’s a few examples of the Chiefs play which becomes a 4 man flood concept. You can motion the RB out as well and run him down the sideline, further stretching the D.

Purdue 2x2 vs Michigan

Purdue ran it several times vs Michigan. Here are 4 clips of them running it vs 2x2

The Defense was

Clip #1 Cover 4

Clip #2 Cover 42

Clip #3 Cover 4

Clip #4 Cover 4

Purdue was 4 for 4 on this concept and seemed to call it a the right time Vs Michigan.

Routes away from the Snag side:

I think it's important to have answered away from the snag and your man beaters on that side. You have different options and plays that would work against it.

Concept #1 is the dig with a choice route for the RB

Here are 2 clips of it

1st is trips open, the 2nd is trips closed, both attack the dig backside vs cover 1.

Concept #2 RB Angle Route

The angle route is good vs man and 2man coverage as well as when teams push the mike hard at #3.

Teams will often run an angle route on the backside which is very effective. This is utilized and the read if the mike really pushes to defend the snag.

Angle is one compliment to the snag concept. See the mike push which opens up the angle on the backside.

The mike pushes hard to he snag so work backside to the angle route

Here is the film with it. The angle is a good route answer on the backside when you get the mike LB pushing hard to the play side.

Another compliment on the backside is double slant-Gives you answers vs man with 2x2 or a single slant/fade option with 3x1 strong formation.

Here are some bonus clips!

5 snags with the corner route

I hope you enjoyed this article and get some use from the concept!