Playbooks

Stick N Nod

Shotgun·Trey Open Offset·11
StickStick ConceptPass PlayFadeOut And UpStreak
Play diagram for Stick N Nod from Shotgun Trey Open Offset in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

Broncos OffenseOffenseNFL Live Broncos OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Stick N Nod is a quick game concept out of Shotgun Trey Open Offset that isolates the trips side with a stick combination. The inside slot runs a nod (skinny post look off a hitch) while the two outside receivers at the stick point work a flat and stick out route, and the backside X runs a vertical seam up the numbers. This is a man beater and zone beater hybrid built for a fast rhythm throw, with the primary read starting on the stick out to the flat before working up to the nod against zone drops or off coverage.

Defensive Reads

Read the flat defender first, if he sinks with the stick out route, come off it and work the nod route sitting behind him. Watch for a linebacker spying the stick concept in zone drop coverage, since he will jump the out route on high effort user swats. Check the corner over the trips side pre-snap, if he is playing off man technique, expect the nod to break open quickly before he can close the cushion. Against a Cover 3 shell, the nod route sits in the hole between the cornerback and the deep third safety, making it the best answer versus that coverage. If the defense shows blitz with an extra rusher off the edge, get the ball out immediately to the flat since the stick concept beats pressure with a quick rhythm throw.

Usage Tips

Use this on early downs or third and short when you need a guaranteed high percentage completion against zone shells.

Pre snap, check if the defense is showing a two high shell, because the nod route will sit down in the soft spot behind underneath zone defenders and in front of the safeties.

If you see man coverage with no bracket over the trips side, hot route the nod into a quick slant to speed up the throw and beat press or trail technique.

Pair this play with Y Stick or Triple Slant from the same set to keep the defense guessing on which stick variant is coming, since the pre-snap alignment looks identical.

Use the backside seam route as a shot play answer when the defense sells the underneath stick concept and rotates a safety down to cheat the flat and stick out.

Other Plays in Trey Open Offset