Playbooks

H Stick

Shotgun·Spread Y-Flex Wk·11

Stick Fade Hitch Slant Swing Pass Play

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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSpread Y-Flex Wk

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffense

Breakdown

H Stick out of Spread Y-Flex Wk is a classic stick concept from 11 personnel, built around quick horizontal spacing to defeat both man and zone coverage. The H back runs a stick route to a hook zone while the outside receivers work flat and corner routes to stretch the underneath defenders horizontally, with the TE often working an option route based on leverage. The primary read progression starts with the flat defender to determine if he sits on the stick or widens with the flat route, then works to the stick route itself, and finally climbs to the corner or dig breaking route if the middle opens up. This is a rhythm timing throw designed for quick decisions rather than a play-action or RPO concept.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell since Cover 2 and Cover 4 tend to leave the stick window open longer than Cover 3. Watch the flat defender's depth at the snap because if he widens quickly with the flat route, the stick route sits wide open in the void behind him. Key the middle linebacker or Mike backer's drop, if he sinks deep into the stick window it signals a Tampa 2 or Cover 6 look and you should redirect to the corner route or backside option. User controlled defenders sitting in the shallow hook zone are the biggest threat to this concept, so if you see a defender spying the middle of the field instead of covering a specific receiver, expect him to jump the stick route on the throw. Man coverage with an aggressive blitz package can shut this down quickly if the H back gets picked up in man to man and the quarterback has no time to progress through reads, so recognize blitz alignments pre-snap and consider a hot route or quick check to Quick Slants instead.

Usage Tips

Use this play on third and short to third and medium when you need a high percentage completion with layered options underneath. Check the alignment of the flat defender and slot corner before the snap because they dictate whether you throw the stick route or work outside to the flat. Against man coverage, hot route the backside receiver into a slant or drag to give yourself an extra option away from the strength of the concept. Against zone, especially Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells, look to sit the stick route in the hole between the underneath zone and the deep defenders since that is where this concept consistently wins. Pair this play with Slot Fades or Smash Corners in your play calling sequence so that if the defense starts jumping the stick route with linebackers, you can hit them over the top with a double move shell shot.