Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Stick out of Empty Base Flex is a five man route empty concept built around quick, high percentage throws. The two outside receivers on each side run vertical seams that occupy deep coverage, the inside slot to the boundary side runs a shallow stick/flat route, and the two receivers stacked to the strong side create a stick combo with one settling underneath and one working an angled release into the flat. With no running back to protect, the line slides to pick up five rushers and the quarterback works the stick/flat combo to the strong side as the primary read before climbing to the seams. This is a classic zone beater that also holds up against man due to the natural picks created by the stacked alignment.
Defensive Reads
Presnap, check safety depth and count defenders in the box since Empty formations force the defense to declare coverage intentions before the snap. Key the flat defender to the strong side stick/flat combo, if he sinks with the vertical release you throw the flat, if he jumps the flat you hit the sit route underneath. Watch for a nano blitz or overload pressure off the edge since Empty has no running back to chip, forcing the quarterback into a quick decision. Against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells, the seam verticals on both outside receivers can stress the safeties if the underneath defenders bite on the stick combo. If you see man coverage with a linebacker matched on the stick receiver, expect a natural pick from the stacked alignment, which usually springs the underneath route open immediately after the snap.
Usage Tips
Use empty formations like this on third and medium to third and long when you need a stick combo answer against both zone drops and man coverage. Presnap, identify if the defense shows six or seven in the box since Empty forces a check on numbers and often reveals the blitz or a light box. Hot route the backside vertical to a quick out or slant if you see a cornerback pressing in man to give yourself an easy conversion throw. Pair this call with RPO Q Stick Draw or Verticals from the same set so the defense cannot sit on the stick concept without opening up a shot play behind it. Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells, work the stick/flat combo immediately since the flat defender has to choose between the flat route and the underneath sit route, creating a natural throwing window.
