Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Deep Stick lines up out of Shotgun Trips HB Wk with 10 personnel, using the trips side to run the classic Stick concept: the inside slot sits down on a stick route while the outside trips receiver clears vertically up the numbers and the third trips receiver runs an out breaking into the flat, forming a high low read on any flat defender. Away from trips, the single receiver runs a dig style in breaking route working across the middle of the field as a secondary read. There is no visible run action or screen elements in the diagram, this is a straight dropback pass concept built to attack zone coverage with a fast stick throw underneath while stressing the flat defender.
Defensive Reads
Key the flat defender to the trips side immediately after the snap, if he sinks under the stick route the QB should reset to the out breaking route in the flat. Watch for Cover 3 sky or cloud shells where the curl flat defender has to choose between the stick sitting down and the flat route working outside, this play is designed to put him in conflict. If the defense shows two deep safeties presnap with the corners playing off, expect Cover 4 or Cover 2 zone drops, which makes the stick route the primary answer against soft underneath coverage. Man coverage with inside leverage on the slot defender can jump the stick route quickly, so look for a linebacker walked up over the slot as a presnap indicator to avoid this concept. Watch for a lurking safety or nickel defender sitting in the shallow middle of the field, since a disciplined lurk can undercut the stick route if the QB stares it down too long.
Usage Tips
Presnap, identify whether the flat defender to the trips side is a linebacker or slot corner because that determines if the stick route or the flat out will be open first.
Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells, work the stick route first since it settles in the natural void created by the flat defender widening to the out route.
Use this play on early downs or third and short since the stick route is a quick rhythm throw that gets the ball out before pressure arrives.
Pair Deep Stick with Four Verticals or Zona Fade from this same set so the defense has to respect the vertical shot off similar trips alignment, making the stick window even easier to access later in a drive.
If you diagnose man coverage presnap, hot route the backside single receiver into a quicker breaking route or check to Mesh Spot from this playbook instead since Deep Stick is primarily a zone beater.
