Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 13 playbooks
Breakdown
Stick out of Pistol Bunch TE sends the bunch trio into a classic stick concept to the boundary: the outer receiver runs a deep corner/go route stretching the sideline vertically, the middle bunch receiver breaks off a quick out to the flat, and the inside bunch man sits down on the stick route at the sticks. On the backside, the single WR is not shown, but the near-side slot runs a vertical seam while the TE releases up the middle on a vertical stem before adjusting into the honey hole. The offensive line shows straight pass protection with no run action, confirming this is a quick-game passing concept built to beat zone coverage, with the primary read progression going stick (flat/curl read) to flat route to the corner route as the clearout, and the vertical seam as a hot answer against man coverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing a two-high or single-high safety shell, Stick is most effective against two-high zone shells like Cover 2 and Cover 4 that leave underneath conflict for the curl-flat defender. Watch the flat defender to the bunch side immediately after the snap, if he widens with the flat route the stick sitting underneath him becomes wide open for an easy throw. Key the curl/hook linebacker's depth at the snap, shallow depth means he is sitting on the stick route so progress to the flat or corner route instead. Man coverage with press corners on the bunch is a red flag, the natural rub from the bunch alignment can spring the corner route or seam free, but a user-controlled lurk defender sitting in the shallow zone can jump the stick and flat routes. Watch for blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since this is a quick-game concept the sticky route and flat route provide a fast answer against pressure if protection is set correctly.
Usage Tips
Use this as your go-to answer against Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells since the stick, flat, and corner combo forces the flat defender and curl/hook defender into an impossible conflict.
Pre-snap, check the alignment of the curl-flat defender to that bunch side, if he sits deep off the ball you have an easy stick throw underneath for a quick completion.
Against man coverage, hot route the vertical seam runner or the corner route into a slant to attack any leverage advantage created by the bunch alignment and natural rub.
This play excels on third and short to third and medium since the stick route sits right at the sticks for an easy movable chain conversion.
Pair Stick with Verticals or Flood from this same set to keep defenders honest, once the defense starts jumping the stick route, hit the corner route on the clearout for an explosive shot play.
