Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Double Slant Stick lines up out of Shotgun Empty Base Trio with five eligible receivers spread across the field and no running back in the backfield. To the left, the two receivers run a slant combo, with the inside receiver breaking underneath the outside receiver's slant to create a natural pick and separation against man coverage. To the right, the trio runs a stick concept: one receiver sits down in the flat, one runs a shallow crossing route underneath, and the third pushes vertically before working across the field on a deep in, stretching zone defenders horizontally and vertically. The primary read starts with the right side stick concept, particularly the flat-to-corner route conflict against zone, then works to the slants if the corner or nickel jumps outside.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and cornerback alignment on the stick side since soft corners invite the flat route while tight corners open up the deep in behind them. Post-snap, key the flat defender on the stick concept: if he sinks with the shallow cross, the quarterback is likely progressing to the flat or corner route. Watch for user-controlled defenders lurking underneath the slants, since a spy or rat defender sitting in the shallow zone can jump the inside slant route. Cover 3 with a hard-charging flat defender can take away the stick flat, forcing the quarterback into a tighter window on the deep in route. Man coverage with no help over the top on the slant side is vulnerable, but a blitz that gets pressure before the rub develops can force an early, inaccurate throw.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two-high or one-high safety look since this play attacks both man and zone coverage differently.
Against man coverage, prioritize the slant side because the natural rub created by the two receivers running slants creates instant separation for the inside slant defender.
Against zone coverage, work the stick concept first, reading the flat defender: if he sits, throw the shallow cross, if he widens, hit the flat route.
Use this on early downs to stay ahead of the sticks, then pair it with Stick Nod or Slants later in the drive once the defense adjusts to jumping the stick flat routes.
Hot route the vertical stick route into a deeper corner route if you see single high safety alignment to create an explosive shot play off the same look.
