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Breakdown
Stick out of Shotgun Trio (11 personnel) shows a five man route concept with the running back releasing to the flat, the inline TE running a quick out to the sideline, and the outside receiver to that side sitting down on a stick route at the sticks. Backside, the two receivers run a deep vertical clear-out and a corner-breaking route to hold the safety and open up the underneath stick window. This is a classic zone beater built off the stick concept, using the flat-stick-corner high-low to attack curl-flat zones, while the RB stays in to chip before releasing on the checkdown against pressure. Primary read progression goes flat (RB) to stick (TE or slot) to corner route, working outside in based on the flat defender's leverage.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender (CB or OLB) at the snap, if he widens with the RB the stick window opens for an easy pitch and catch. Key the underneath hook or curl defender's depth, a shallow drop means the stick route will be undercut so progress to the corner route immediately. Against Cover 3, the deep corner route can be a home run shot if the flat defender bites hard on the RB. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is a green light to hit the backside corner route for a explosive gain since the vertical clear-out should occupy the deep defender. Zone blitzes with a sky safety rotating down can jump the flat route, so have your QB ready to reset to the checkdown or throw the corner route on time before the blitz arrives.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing Cover 2 or Cover 3 shell since this concept is designed to attack the curl-flat zone defenders in both. Use the flat route from the RB as your first key: if the flat defender sinks with the stick route, throw the flat immediately for an easy completion. Motion the backside receiver pre-snap to confirm man versus zone, if he is followed across the formation it is man coverage and you should live progress to the corner route for the big shot. Pair this play with Snag Slot Out or Curl Flat from the same set to keep the defense guessing on similar route distributions while changing the high-low read. This is an ideal 3rd and short to medium call because the stick route sits right at the sticks and the flat route provides a safety valve against a blitz.
