Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Left | Block and Release Hook |
| WR3 | Left | Flat |
| WR2 | Left | Fade |
| TE1 | Right | Curl |
| WR1 | Left | Stick Option |
Stick out of Trips TE Flex Close WK is a quick-hitting concept built around stick routes on the trips side with the sticks player settling underneath while the outside receiver clears vertically or breaks to the corner. The backside typically works a quick out or slant option from the tight end or flex TE, giving the quarterback a fast, high percentage answer versus both man and zone coverage. This is primarily a zone beater against Cover 3 and Cover 2 due to the stick sitting in the flat or hook window, but it also holds up versus man because of the natural pick and rub action from the trips bunch. The primary read progression starts with the stick (flat or hook read), moves to the flex TE option route in the middle of the field, and finishes with the backside single receiver as a checkdown or hot route conversion.
Read the flat defender first, since Cover 3 cloud or Cover 2 corners sitting on the flat will take away the stick route and force you to the flex TE option route in the middle. Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, because a shallow drop or blitz key tells you the hook zone is open behind him for the stick sitdown route. Identify man coverage by checking if defenders align in press or shade to the trips bunch pre-snap, then expect natural picks to spring someone open quickly off the line. Look for a user lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, since a smart user player can jump the stick route and bait a turnover if you stare it down too long. Beware of overload blitzes from the trips side, since Stick's quick game timing can be disrupted if extra rushers win before the stick receiver settles, so have your backside hot route ready as the answer.
Get to the line early and identify if the defense is showing a two high or single high shell before the snap, since Stick plays differently against Cover 2 sink versus Cover 3 rotation.
Against zone, throw with anticipation to the stick receiver as soon as he settles into the flat or hook zone before the underneath defenders can close the window.
Against man coverage, use the trips bunch alignment to create natural rubs, then look immediately to the receiver who wins the pick off the release.
Hot route the backside single receiver into a quick out or slant if you are facing man coverage or a blitz look, since this gives you a fast throw away from the trips bunch.
Pair this play with Mtn Dagger or Switch Dagger in your play calling sequence, since both attack similar zone spacing but stress the defense vertically, forcing defenders to widen or deepen and open up Stick underneath even more.
Use Stick in third and short or third and medium situations where the quick game timing and natural picks give you a high floor conversion play against most standard nickel or base looks.