Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Left | Flat |
| HB2 | Right | Flat |
| WR1 | Left | Smash |
| WR2 | Left | Smash |
| TE1 | Right | Stick Option |
Spacing Switch Stick is a horizontal timing concept out of Shotgun Split Twins Offset Close that combines a switch release on one side with a stick concept on the other, creating a natural zone beater against Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells. The switch action crosses the outside and inside receivers to confuse man defenders trying to stay attached, while the stick side gives you a quick out and flat combo underneath for an easy answer against blitzes. Your primary read starts with the stick concept to the boundary for a fast underneath throw, then progresses to the switch release flat/spacing route if the linebacker or corner jumps the stick, working the field horizontally to find the soft spot in the zone.
Presnap, check safety depth and width, since two deep safeties splitting the field wide open indicates Cover 2 or Cover 4 zone drops that this concept is designed to exploit. Watch the flat defender on the stick side after the snap, if he sits on the stick route the spacing route behind him will be open, if he widens to the flat the stick sits down in the window behind him. Key the linebacker depth at the snap, shallow linebackers who crash the stick concept immediately open up the switch release running behind them for a bigger gain. This play struggles against Cover 3 with a rock solid Mike linebacker who can spy or drop into the same zone as the stick route, so if you see a three deep shell with disciplined underneath defenders be ready to reset and check to a different play. User controlled defenders sitting in the throwing lane of the stick route or jumping the switch release route late are the biggest threat here, so double clutch or move off your first read if you see a defender break on the route before the ball is thrown.
Presnap, identify if the defense is showing a two high or single high safety shell, since this play thrives against split safety zones where the stick and spacing routes sit in the natural voids between defenders. Use motion or a hot route on the offset back to check for man coverage, and if you see man defenders following across the formation on the switch release, expect natural picks that can spring the receiver open late in the concept. This play is money on third and short to third and medium because the stick route settles quickly and gives you a rhythm throw before pressure arrives. Pair this play with Stick RB Angle in the same set to keep the defense guessing between two stick-based reads, one with an extra check down option out of the backfield and one with the switch release stretching horizontally. Against aggressive user blitzers, get the ball out on your first read quickly since the stick route is designed to be a one or two step throw that neutralizes edge pressure before it develops.