Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Option Stick Nod lines up out of Shotgun Empty Strong Slots with five receivers spread wide and no running back in the backfield. The two outside receivers run vertical clear-out routes to stretch the defense deep, the inside slot to the strong side runs a stick concept with a flat route crossing underneath, and the tight end runs the option route with a nod release that breaks outside against man coverage or settles in the void against zone. This is a man beater built around the option route creating leverage on a defender who has to guess, with the primary read starting at the option route runner working outside then coming back to the stick and flat combo underneath if the option gets taken away.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defender aligned over the option route tight end presnap, if he is playing outside shade the tight end should break inside for the nod and if he is inside shade the break goes outside. Zone coverage shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 will have a linebacker or safety sitting in the middle of the field which clogs the option route read, so be ready to work the stick and flat underneath instead. Man coverage with no safety help over the top on the option route is where this play wins consistently, since the double move built into the nod creates instant separation. Blitzes off the edge can be an issue since there is no running back to chip, so check for overload blitzes presnap and consider a hot route to the flat if the protection looks outnumbered. If the defense shows a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, that defender can jump the stick route, so be prepared to reset to the option or flat as your outlet.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify whether the defense is showing single high or two high safeties, since the option route tight end thrives against man coverage with a defender playing tight leverage. If you see a linebacker or slot corner shaded outside on the option route runner, break the route inside for an easy completion, and if he shades inside, push it outside for the nod. Use the vertical routes on the outside receivers to hold safeties deep and open up the middle of the field for the stick and flat combo. This play pairs well with Verticals Under from the same set since both attack the middle void but Verticals Under gives you a faster hitter over the middle if the defense sits on the option route after a few reps. Save this for third and short to third and medium situations where the stick concept underneath gives you a high percentage completion if the option route is covered.
