Playbooks
Breakdown
Stick from Empty HB Wide sends five eligible receivers into a classic stick concept on the right side while the two outside receivers to the left run a staggered pin route combo. On the right, the outer receiver runs a quick out to the flat, the inner slot receiver sits down on a stick route reading the flat defender, and the tight end from the same side pushes vertically before breaking into a shallow crosser underneath. The single receiver in the backfield alignment on the right (shown by the red arrow) runs a vertical release as a check or blocker option, and there is no run blocking shown since this is a five wide empty pass concept designed to attack both man and zone coverage. The primary read progression starts with the stick route in the middle, then works to the flat route underneath it, and finishes with the crossing tight end as the deep-to-short zone beater against sinking linebackers.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check for man coverage indicators like a corner shaded outside with no safety help over the stick receiver, which signals you should attack the middle stick route immediately. Watch linebacker depth at the snap since shallow linebackers will jump the stick route, opening the flat and crossing tight end underneath. Cover 3 zone with a hard sinking curl flat defender can undercut the flat throw, so read that defender's drop before committing to the flat. User controlled lurk defenders sitting in the shallow middle zone are the biggest threat to the crossing tight end route, so scan for a manual defender crashing that window post snap. Blitz heavy fronts that send extra rushers off the edge get exposed by the quick stick and flat combo since both routes develop fast enough to beat man pressure before the rush arrives.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the strong safety to identify if the defense is showing two high or rotating down into a single high shell before the snap.
Against man coverage, prioritize the stick route since it settles into a natural pick or rub window against linebackers and slot corners.
Against zone coverage, work the flat to stick combination from outside in, letting the flat route hold the underneath defender before hitting the stick sitting behind him.
This play is best called on third and short to third and medium since the stick route and flat combo consistently move the sticks against both man and zone.
Pair Stick with Stick N Nod or Quick Slants from the same set to keep linebackers and slot defenders guessing on route depth without changing your formation tendency.
