Playbooks

Stick

Shotgun·Trey Open HB Str·11
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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Stick out of Shotgun Trey Open HB Str is a quick-game concept built around stick routes (5 yard hook/settle) combined with flat routes and a spot player, designed to attack zone coverage with sticks and quick throws underneath. The trips side runs a classic stick triangle (flat, stick, corner or vertical clear-out) while the backside single receiver runs a route to hold the corner honest, giving the QB a horizontal stretch read from flat to stick to backside. This is primarily a zone beater that also holds up against man due to the natural pick and rub action created by the tight spacing of the trips stick concept, and it can double as a hot throw versus the blitz because of the fast developing timing routes.

Defensive Reads

Presnap, identify the safety alignment, two high shells signal Cover 2 or Cover 4 and open up the stick window in the middle of the field, one high shells warn of Cover 3 or Cover 1 and require faster decision making Watch the cornerback depth on the trips side, soft corners playing off suggest zone drops underneath which favors the flat and stick combo, tight press corners suggest man and favor the backside hot route Key the flat defender at the snap, if he sinks with the flat route the stick will be wide open behind him, if he jumps the stick throw immediately to the flat Look for user controlled defenders lurking in the shallow middle zone since Stick concepts are vulnerable to a spying linebacker who can undercut the stick route, if you see a user drop into that window check down to the flat or backside route instead This play struggles against Cover 6 or Cover 2 Man due to the extra underneath defender clogging the stick window, if you see this shell be ready to reset the play with a run or screen call instead

Usage Tips

Fire this on 3rd and short to medium since the stick concept lives in the 4 to 6 yard range and the flat route is an easy conversion throw

Presnap, count defenders to the trips side, if you see two defenders low and one deep you are likely facing zone and the stick sitting in the window will be open

Hot route the backside single receiver into a quick out or slant if you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, this turns the backside into a true man beater

Use the flat route as your blitz beater answer, if the defense shows pressure presnap, key the flat defender and get the ball out fast to punish overload blitzes

Pair this with Deep Stick or Mtn Stick Wheel later in a series once the defense starts jumping the flat and stick routes, the wheel route off the same look will burn aggressive underneath defenders

Against Cover 3, throw the stick route in the deep hook zone window between the underneath defenders and the deep third defender for a reliable chain mover

Other Plays in Trey Open HB Str