Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Panther Stick out of Shotgun Doubles sends both outside receivers vertical on go routes to stretch the cornerbacks and clear the flat, while the slot receiver runs a quick stick route sitting down at the sticks. The HB releases from the backfield on a flat route underneath, forming the classic stick concept read of flat, stick, and vertical clearout. This is a man beater and zone beater hybrid: the stick sits in soft zones for an easy completion while the flat and stick combo creates a natural pick vs man coverage, with the primary read progression going HB flat, then slot stick, then working back to the go routes if a corner blitzes or the coverage bites underneath.
Defensive Reads
Watch the slot cornerback or nickel defender at the snap, if he sinks into a zone drop the stick route will sit right in his window so bait him with pump fakes to freeze him. Key the flat defender, whether it is a linebacker or safety rotating down, since man coverage on the HB out of the backfield is an easy completion for the check down. Identify Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells presnap, both leave the stick route open in the intermediate zone since underneath defenders are focused on the vertical threats. Watch for a corner blitz or edge pressure off the slot side, that alignment signals man coverage behind it and tells you to speed up your drop to the stick or flat. If both safeties stay deep and the linebackers widen to the flat routes early, expect a Cover 2 shell that takes away the stick, in that case reset to the go routes for a one on one shot down the sideline.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify if the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell, since stick concepts thrive against zone shells with soft underneath coverage.
Hot route the backside go route into a slant or drag if you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, giving you a quicker option than waiting on the deep shots.
Use this on third and short to medium distance where the flat and stick combo forces linebackers into a horizontal stretch they cannot cover with depth.
Pair this with 45 Quick Base or Curl Flats earlier in a series so the defense starts sitting on quick underneath throws, then hit the go routes off Panther Stick once they bite.
Against user linebackers who key the HB out of the backfield, look immediately to the slot stick since that user rush leaves the middle of the field open.
