Playbooks

Both Stick

Stick Stick Concept Pass Play Block and Release Hitch Out

Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players

Player	Side	Route
HB1	Right	Block and Release Hook
TE2	Left	Hitch
WR1	Left	Short Out
WR2	Right	Out
TE1	Right	Hitch

Read progression

WR2 right, Out
WR1 left, Short Out
TE2 left, Hitch or TE1 right, Hitch
HB1 right, Block and Release HookCheck-down

Breakdown

Both Stick is a mirrored stick concept out of Shotgun Deuce Close, giving the quarterback identical route combos on both sides of the field. Each side runs a stick combo: an outside receiver stepping vertical then breaking flat to the boundary, a slot man releasing to a shallow stick sit around 5 yards, and the flat route stretching underneath from the tight end alignment. The lone running back releases up the middle on a vertical or seam read, giving the quarterback a true half-field progression on either side plus a check down over the middle. This is a zone beater built to attack Cover 2 and Cover 3 by working the flat to curl to seam triangle read on whichever side the defense shows fewer numbers.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell, since this determines which side has the numbers advantage for the stick throw. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if the middle linebacker sinks to the stick route early it opens the running back's seam release up the gut. Cover 3 defenses struggle when the flat defender widens too far, leaving the curl to stick window open in the intermediate zone. Man coverage with underneath help can suffocate this concept since both stick routes lack natural separation against tight man technique, watch for a linebacker spy or nickel defender shadowing the slot. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge should be picked up by the running back release read, if there is no clear check down the quarterback needs to get the ball out immediately to either flat.

Usage Tips

Pick a side pre-snap based on numbers, count defenders to the boundary versus the field and throw the stick concept away from extra help.

If the defense shows a single high safety, work the seam release from the running back since Cover 3 defenders often overplay the flat.

Use the flat route as your hot route answer against Cover 2 corners playing bail technique, since the curl to flat combo stresses the cornerback and safety on that side.

Mix this in with Bench and Bench Swap from the same set to keep linebackers guessing since the mirrored stick look disguises which side gets the primary read.

Best called on second and medium or third and short since the quick stick to flat combo gets the ball out before pressure arrives and the running back release adds a check down against blitz.