Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Stick out of Shotgun Tight Y Off is a quick timing concept built to attack man and zone alike with instant separation. The diagram shows both outside receivers running deep spot-drag routes across the formation, the two inside receivers (slot and TE) sitting down on stick routes, and the isolated backside receiver running a quick out breaking away from the numbers. With the HB staying in to help protect, this is a classic Stick concept designed for a three-step drop, and the primary read progresses from the outside stick/flat combo to the backside out route if the underneath windows are clogged.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap, shallow droppers who sit right on the stick routes signal a Cover 2 or Tampa 2 shell that will take away the middle reads. Key the flat defender on the strongside, if he widens with the spot-drag route it opens a throwing lane for the stick sitting behind him. If cornerbacks show press man across the board, expect the backside out route or a hot slant adjustment to be the quickest answer. Look for a user-controlled defender lurking in the shallow middle, that lurk threat is the biggest risk to the inside stick reads and should push the quarterback's eyes to the backside out. Blitz-heavy Cover 0 or Cover 1 looks with no safety help over the top mean the stick routes should convert instantly since it is a three-step timing throw designed to beat pressure before it arrives.
Usage Tips
Snap it quickly on third and short to medium since the stick routes settle in soft spots against zone and win fast against off man.
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two-high or single-high safety look because Cover 2 corners will squat on the stick routes and force you to the backside out.
Hot route the backside single receiver into a quick slant if you see press man on that side, it turns a low percentage out into an easy completion versus aggressive corners.
Pair this play with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Alert Out from the same set to keep the defense honest on run fits before going back to the dropback stick concept.
Use play action rollouts like Mtn PA Spinner later in the series once the defense starts jumping the quick stick routes on early downs.
