Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Orbit Stick N Nod is a Stick concept play out of Shotgun Spread Y-Flex Wk with pre-snap orbit motion from the backfield across the formation. The diagram shows the outside receiver on the motion side running a corner/nod route vertically up the sideline, the slot receiver breaking off a quick stick route to the flat, and the far outside receiver on the boundary running a deep vertical stem. The TE or slot on the strong side runs a shallow crossing route underneath from left to right, giving the quarterback a horizontal stretch read against zone or a natural pick against man. This is a man beater and zone beater hybrid built off Stick, with the primary read progression starting at the stick route in the flat, moving to the shallow crosser, then working to the nod/corner for the explosive shot if a defender bites underneath.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender or curl to flat player before the snap, if he is sitting shallow and reads the stick route immediately this play struggles unless you get to the crosser. Key the corner over the motion receiver, if he stays outside and deep in press or bail technique the nod route down the sideline becomes the priority shot play. Identify Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties, since the corner route can be taken away by the deep half safety rotating over the top. Look for a linebacker spying or blitzing through the shallow crossing route's path, a well timed blitz can disrupt the shallow read and force the quarterback into a rushed decision. Man coverage with underneath lurk defenders sitting in passing lanes will jump the stick and shallow crosser quickly, so trust the nod route win on the perimeter against tight man alignment.
Usage Tips
Use the orbit motion pre-snap to identify man versus zone, if a defender follows the motion man across the formation that confirms man coverage and opens up the stick route for an easy completion.
Attack Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells by reading the flat defender on the stick route first, if he sits the shallow crosser is open behind him for a quick underneath conversion.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or slant if you see a hard blitz look, since the shallow crosser and stick concept leave the quarterback vulnerable if protection breaks down fast.
Best called on third and short to third and medium, the stick route and shallow crosser give the quarterback answers against both man and zone without needing a deep shot.
Pair this play with Orbit Y Stick or Mtn Y Stick in the same set to keep the defense guessing off similar motion and stick shells, then hit them with the nod route once they start jumping the stick route.
