Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
RPO Q Stick Draw runs from Shotgun Empty HB Wide with 11 personnel, giving the quarterback a true run-pass option read on every snap. Pre-snap the offense spreads five eligible receivers wide, with the boundary receiver running a vertical seam, the slot running a quick stick to the flat, the backside receiver on a deep vertical, and the closest slot receiver running a shallow stick underneath that vertical route, while the interior of the diagram shows the running back drawing on a delayed handoff behind the line with the offensive line blocking as if for a run. The QB reads the stick concept on the strong side first: if the flat defender sits and takes away the stick, throw the seam, and if the box stays light or the linebacker crashes downhill, pull it and hand off on the draw.
Defensive Reads
Key the play side linebacker immediately after the snap since his reaction to the stick concept tells the QB whether to hand off or throw. Watch for a user-controlled defender spying the running back or crashing hard on run fits, which signals the QB will pull and throw the stick or seam instead. Cover 3 zone with a hard-flowing flat defender is vulnerable to the seam throw over the top, so safeties must stay disciplined and not bite on the shallow stick action. Man coverage without underneath help gets exposed by the stick route sitting down in space, so defenses need a linebacker or nickel to stay square and not overcommit to run action. Disciplined defensive tackles who hold gaps against the draw and a deep safety who reads QB eyes on the seam are the two keys to shutting this concept down completely.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify whether the defense is showing a light box or has a linebacker cheating toward the stick concept, since that dictates whether you keep the ball or hand it off immediately.
If you see man coverage on the stick receiver, throw the seam behind it since man defenders will trail underneath and get beat vertically.
Against zone shells, especially cover 3 or cover 4, read the flat defender: if he widens for the stick throw the seam, if he sits inside take the stick for a quick, safe gain.
Use this play on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage since the draw keeps defenses honest and the RPO read punishes overaggressive linebackers.
Pair this play with Stick and Quick Slants from the same set to condition the defense to bite on quick game, then hit this RPO draw when they start jumping routes and vacating run fits.
