Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Double Stick is a five man route concept out of Shotgun Empty Trey Stack that puts two stick concepts on the field, one to the trips side stack and one to the backside single receiver. The stacked duo to the right runs a vertical seam and a stick out route that crosses the field horizontally, while the backside receiver breaks off a comeback and the middle slot runs a shallow drag underneath. With no running back in the backfield, this is a pure man beater built to create natural picks and rubs off the stack alignment, though it also holds up against zone thanks to the horizontal stretch. Progression starts with the seam read to the stick side, then works to the crossing stick route underneath, and finally to the backside comeback if the defense rotates coverage away.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage defenders will struggle with the stack release, so watch for a rub or natural pick if you are playing off man on the stick side. In zone, key the flat defender's depth. If he sinks too far under the stick route, the seam behind him opens for a big gain. Watch for a lurking linebacker sitting in the shallow crossing lane. A disciplined Mike or Will can jump the drag route and take away the easy check down. Pre-snap, identify the deep safety alignment. Two deep safeties signal Cover 2 or Cover 4, which invites you to sit the stick routes short and let the seam runner work behind the linebackers. Blitz packages that bring five or six rushers can rattle this play since there is no running back to check release, so be ready to throw the hot route to the crossing stick route the instant you see extra pressure off the edge.
Usage Tips
Attack this out of empty formations on third and medium to long when you need a quick, decisive throw before pressure arrives.
Read the stack pre-snap. If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with deep safeties, the seam route to the stack side will split the zone if the flat defender bites on the stick.
Against man coverage, trust the natural rub created by the stacked receivers releasing at the snap, this creates immediate separation for the inside stick runner.
Hot route the backside comeback receiver into a quick out if you see a corner sitting on top expecting the comeback, this keeps the ball out of a jumped throw.
Pair this with Y Stick or Curl Flat Salem from the same set to keep the defense guessing between stick concepts and full field crossers, forcing linebackers to widen their zone drops.
