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Breakdown
Stick from Shotgun 5WR Trips (00 personnel) shows a classic trips-side Stick concept paired with a backside dig and drag combo. On the trips side, the two outside receivers run stick routes at a shallow depth while the innermost slot runs a corner-breaking route pushing vertically before working back outside, creating a natural triangle stretch on flat and hook defenders. On the backside, the lone receiver runs a deep dig across the middle while the RB releases outward on a flat check route, giving the QB a two-level answer if the trips side is jumped. This is a man and zone beater built on option routes at the stick, making the flat-to-curl read the primary progression before working backside to the dig.
Defensive Reads
Watch for cornerback depth on the trips side presnap, soft corners invite the stick route to settle underneath for a quick pitch and catch. Key the flat defender and Sam linebacker on the trips side, if they widen with the corner route the stick sits down in the vacated hook zone. Against man coverage, look for the corner route receiver to stack his defender vertically before breaking, that leverage creates the option route separation. This concept struggles against aggressive Cover 3 sky or Cover 4 match zones where the curl-flat defender can rob the stick throw, so be ready to check into the backside dig. Blitz-heavy defenses that bring extra rushers off the edge open up the backside dig and RB flat route quickly since those routes clear underneath vacated zones before the pressure arrives.
Usage Tips
Presnap, identify whether the defense is showing 2-high or 1-high safety look since Stick option routes convert differently against zone versus man coverage.
If you see man coverage, hot route the stick receivers to sit down quicker or push them vertical first to create separation before breaking outside.
Against zone, read the flat defender first, if he sinks with the corner route the stick route will be wide open underneath for an easy completion.
Use this play on early downs to stay ahead of schedule, then pair it with Four Verticals or Flood from the same set to punish defenses that start cheating toward the stick concept.
On third and medium, prioritize the backside dig if the trips side is bracketed, since the dig sits behind underneath zone defenders and in front of deep safeties.
