Playbooks

Stick

Shotgun·Ace Slot Offset·12
StickStick ConceptPass PlayFadeOutSwing
Play diagram for Stick from Shotgun Ace Slot Offset in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 5 playbooks

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Breakdown

Stick out of Shotgun Ace Slot Offset is a classic quick-game man and zone beater built on the stick concept to the closed side. The outside receiver runs a deep vertical clear-out while the slot receiver settles into a stick route around 5 yards, and the TE releases from the line on a flat route underneath for a triangle read. Backside, the receiver runs an outside break to widen the defense, while the RB or FB releases out of the backfield on a delayed flat/wheel route, giving the QB a five-man route distribution with a quick underneath progression of stick to flat to backside break.

Defensive Reads

Key the flat defender pre-snap, if he sits at depth expecting the stick route, work the underneath flat route instead. Watch for a linebacker cheating toward the stick route depth, this signals zone drop rules and tells you to hit the backside outside break instead. Against man coverage, look for the slot defender trailing tight on the stick route, this is where a quick out or hitch beats him before he can recover. Beware of a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, he can jump the stick route if the QB stares it down too long. If the defense shows Cover 2 with hard corners, the flat route combined with the TE release creates natural leverage since the corner cannot cover both the flat and deep quarter.

Usage Tips

Read the flat defender first since he determines whether you throw the stick or the flat route underneath him.

Use this on third and short or medium since the stick and flat combo gives you a built in conversion read against both man and zone.

If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with deep zone drops, hit the stick route in the void before the linebacker can wall it off.

Motion the slot receiver pre-snap to identify man coverage, if a defender follows across formation you know you have a stick or flat window versus man.

Pair this play with China Double In or Levels Y Sail later in a series so the defense has to respect both quick game and intermediate crossing routes from the same formation look.

Other Plays in Ace Slot Offset