Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Quick Empty Flats Stick is a five wide out empty backfield look from Shotgun Bunch X Nasty that gets the ball out fast against pressure. The two outside receivers run stretch flat routes to the boundary while the inside slot receiver runs a stick route that sits down and works back to the sideline, and the far receiver breaks off a deep in route working across the middle from the opposite flat read. There is no run blocking shown since this is a five man empty protection concept, and this is a classic quick game man and zone beater built for the stick concept to give the quarterback an instant high low read against underneath defenders. The primary read starts with the stick route sitting down in the throwing lane, then works to the nearside flat if a defender widens with the stick, and finally to the backside dig or opposite flat if the middle of the field is cleared out.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing zone drops with linebackers backing off the bunch alignment or man coverage with defenders lined up tight on the stick and flat receivers. This play beats zone coverage shells like Cover 3 and Cover 4 because the stick route settles right in the seam of the flat and curl zones for an easy completion. It also beats man coverage in space because the flat routes create natural picks off the bunch alignment, forcing defenders into traffic. Watch for a user controlled linebacker or safety sitting in the shallow zone as a lurk threat, since that defender can jump the stick route if the quarterback stares it down too long. Disguised blitzes with a nickel corner crashing off the edge can disrupt the timing of this quick concept, so a fast presnap motion or hot route to the flat can neutralize that pressure look.
Usage Tips
Use this play on third and short to third and medium when you need a hot, high percentage completion against pressure looks. Check the pre-snap alignment of the slot defenders over the bunch, if they are shaded outside expect the stick route to have room to sit down inside for an easy pitch and catch. Against man coverage, hot route the backside flat receiver into a quick out or speed out if you see a corner playing tight outside leverage. Pair this with Double Outs or Stick Spacing Switch in the same set to keep defenses guessing between flat combinations and inside breaking sit routes. Empty formations invite pressure, so if you see a shown blitz pre-snap, get the ball out on rhythm to the flat or stick read instead of holding the ball and inviting a sack.
