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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Y Stick out of Pistol Spread 10 personnel shows a four man route concept with no visible run action or play-action fake. The two outside receivers to the left run a hitch and a deep out breaking away from each other to clear the flat and occupy the corners, while the slot receiver runs a quick out to the flat as the underneath check. The Y (inline receiver or tight end alignment) runs the stick route, sitting down at a shallow depth before angling back outside, with the number 1 receiver on the right side running a vertical seam to stretch the middle of the field. This is a classic man and zone beater built on the stick concept, using the flat, stick, and seam combination to attack both hook zones and man leverage, with the primary read progression going stick to flat to seam.
Defensive Reads
Key the flat defender or curl to flat linebacker immediately after the snap, if he sinks under the stick route the flat is open, if he jumps the flat the stick sits down behind him for an easy pitch and catch. Versus Cover 3, the seam route on the right stresses the deep third defender, watch for the safety rotating late to take away the vertical shot. Versus man coverage, look for a linebacker or nickel defender trying to mirror the stick route, since the sit and turn move creates natural separation against tight man leverage. Watch for blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the quick game nature of stick routes makes this play a built in answer to pressure if the hot routes are set correctly. If the defense shows two high safeties pre-snap, expect more underneath zone coverage, prioritize the stick and flat combo over forcing the seam throw into a covered deep zone.
Usage Tips
Read the flat defender first since he decides whether the stick or the flat route is open, this is a true stick concept progression.
Use the seam route on the right as your alert versus single high safety looks or if the linebacker covering the flat cheats outside.
Hot route the backside hitch into a slant if you see man coverage with no safety help over the top for a quick access throw.
This play pairs well with Speed Out and Slot Outside from the same set since the pre-snap motion and route depth look identical, forcing linebackers to freeze on flat versus stick reads.
Best used on second and short or third and short since the stick and flat combo gives you two high percentage completion options underneath the sticks.
