Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Y Stick out of Shotgun Spread Flex sends the outside receiver on a quick outside cut, the backside receiver on a deep in cut across the middle, the slot on a short stick route sitting at the sticks, and the flexed TE releasing into the flat off the backfield motion, while the running back stays in to protect. This is a classic Stick Concept, built primarily as a man beater against blitz and press man coverage thanks to the quick-hitting flat and stick combo, though it also has answers versus zone if the flat defender widens. The primary read progression starts with the stick route in the middle for the sit-down throw, then works to the flat route underneath, and finally to the deep in cut breaking across if the middle is cleared out.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender post snap, if he widens with the flat route the stick sitting behind him becomes wide open for the quarterback. Key the middle linebacker depth presniap, a shallow drop signals zone coverage where the stick route will be squeezed, so look to attack with the deep in cut instead. Man coverage with no safety help is the biggest vulnerability here, since the stick route and flat route both create natural picks and rubs that are tough for man defenders to fight through. Cover 3 zone drops can be tough on the stick route if the underneath defender sits directly on it, so be ready to check off to the deep in cut breaking across the field. Watch for a user linebacker spying or lurking in the middle of the field, since that defender can jump the stick route and bait an interception if the quarterback stares it down too long.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify if the defense is showing man or zone by checking corner alignment, tight press corners with no safety help over the top usually mean the stick and flat combo will win fast.
Use the flat route as your outlet against any blitz look since it releases quickly and gives you a rhythm throw before pressure arrives.
Hot route the deep in cutting receiver into a deeper dig if you see two high safeties sitting soft, this manipulates the seams and creates a bigger throwing window.
Pair Y Stick with Four Verticals or PA Deep Outs from the same formation to keep defenses honest, since the quick game look sets up the deep shot off similar presnap disguise.
Use this play on third and short to medium since the stick and flat routes are designed to convert quickly against both man and zone drops.
