Playbooks

Stick

Shotgun·Trey Y-Flex·11
StickStick ConceptPass Play
Play diagram for Stick from Shotgun Trey Y-Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 4 playbooks

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Breakdown

Stick out of Shotgun Trey Y-Flex is a classic quick-game pass concept built to attack zone coverage with a stick, flat and vertical combo to the trips side, while the backside receiver runs a deep dig across the field. The three receivers on the trips side create a triangle stretch: the outside receiver clears vertically, the slot runs a quick stick/hitch, and the flexed TE releases to the flat, forcing the flat defender and underneath zone defenders to choose. The lone backside X runs a deep in-cut, giving the QB a full-field crossing route as a changeup read if the trips side is capped. Primary progression is stick to flat to the backside dig, with the vertical clear-out opening up the stick route against squat corners.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify if the defense is sitting in Cover 3 or Cover 4 with off corners, since the stick route sits right in the soft spot of those zones. Watch the flat defender (CB or OLB) at the snap; if he widens with the TE release, the stick window opens for an easy completion. Beware disguised man coverage or a nano blitz off the edge, since the stick concept has minimal protection help and can get exposed against pressure. Look for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle who can jump the stick or flat route if the QB stares it down too long. Against Cover 2, the backside dig becomes the better answer since the underneath stick triangle gets squeezed by the shortened flat defender depth.

Usage Tips

Use this play on 3rd and short to medium against zone-heavy defenses that show Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells pre-snap.

Key the flat defender before the snap; if he sits inside on the TE, throw the stick immediately since the flat is uncovered.

Hot route the outside vertical to a fade or skinny post against man coverage to turn this into a big-play shot instead of a check-down.

Pair this with Levels Out or Slot Post from the same set to keep defenses guessing between quick triangle reads and deeper crossing shots.

Against Cover 2, work the stick to flat quickly before the corner can sink and the safety can rotate over the top.

Other Plays in Trey Y-Flex