Yesterday we looked at Iowa State’s version of Power Toss Read, today we’re looking at Kentucky’s take on the play, which is Hammer Toss Read. Readers recall Hammer simply refers to a backside guard-tackle pull playside. Hammer Toss Read simply means you’re running a toss read playside and pulling the backside guard and tackle to run a backside counter. Like power toss read, hammer toss read stresses a defense inside and outside.
Play Concept
Kentucky ran Hammer Toss Read out of 10 personnel. The four wide receivers spread the field and lightened the tackle box. If the defense is using nickel personnel to cover four wide receivers, it means you’re facing six in the box. The read takes one defender, meaning the offense is blocking five on five inside. Advantage, offense.
The first thing you notice is the spread alignment. X is just inside the numbers and Z is outside the number. Both inside slot and outside slot are outside the hash. Alignment is stretching the defense across the field. Kentucky Assistant HC for Offense Eddie Gran and Co-OC Darin Hinshaw basically spread the field so they can play single-wing football inside the tackle box. It works.
Keys blocks on this play are the center on the 1-tech, the LG on the 3-tech, and the RG’s kickout block on the weakside edge player. All four receivers go vertical and stalk block. RT pulls inside RG’s kickout to wrap the LB. If he widens, kick outside. If he pinches, seal inside. QB reads unblocked strong edge players, if they cover RB to stop toss, follow pullers backside to run counter.
Executing Hammer Toss Read
Missouri has six on the line and one linebacker for seven in the box with four secondary players playing way off coverage. It was raining this day and Missouri was daring Kentucky to pass the ball. All-purpose player Lynn Bowden played QB with Kavosiey Smoke at RB aligned two yards behind and to his right. At the snap, the center blocks the 1-tech who tries to slant outside. LG blocks the blocks the 3-tech, his slant plays into the guard’s favor. LT takes a playside step left and the inside slant by the DE gives him the needed angle to block him inside. The center, LG, and LT have built a wall. RG pulls around the kicks off the blitzing safety. RT comes under his block and kicks the linebacker outside.
Bowden takes the snap and sees the slant by the SDE and the LB drops to cover Smoke, so he has the keep read. Bowden follows his pullers, cuts inside their blocks, and is off to the races. Play results is a 34 yard gain and a first down.
Earlier in the game in the first quarter, Missouri is showing Cover 1 over the middle with a 4-1 front in the box. Easy run read. With five in the box, it is even easier blocking the defense. Bowden cuts outside the guard’s block and inside the tackle’s block. His ability to slice so easily through the secondary explains why they were putting seven in the box to stop him in the fourth quarter.
Bowden currently plays wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins and Smoke returns for his senior season in 2022.