Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Stick out of Shotgun Trips TE Flex sends the backside X on a go route to clear space while the trips side runs the classic stick concept: the outside receiver runs a corner route up the numbers, the inside slot sits down on a stick/hitch, and the flexed TE releases underneath on a shallow flat route out of the backfield area. The RB stays in as a check release or safety valve on a vertical stem up the middle. This is a zone beater built to attack Cover 2 and Cover 3 by stacking three levels (flat, stick, corner) into one throwing window, with the primary read starting on the flat route to the stick sitter and progressing to the corner route if the underneath defender widens.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and cornerback alignment on the trips side, a two-high shell with soft corners signals Cover 2 or Cover 4 and favors the stick and flat combo underneath. Key the flat defender immediately after the snap, if he widens to cover the TE flat route the stick sitter becomes the easy answer in the void behind him. Watch for a user-controlled linebacker sitting in the shallow hook zone, since that defender can jump both the stick and flat routes if left unblocked by the scheme. Against man coverage, look for the slot defender trailing the stick route tightly, since this concept is more vulnerable to press man or Cover 1 with underneath help. Identify blitz packages pre-snap, since the RB check release becomes critical against overloaded fronts and the QB may need to get rid of the ball quickly on the stick route.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or third and short when you expect zone coverage rather than man, since the stick concept thrives against off zone drops.
Pre-snap, identify the flat defender (usually a linebacker or slot corner), if he sits too deep the underneath stick route is wide open for an easy completion.
Hot route the backside X go route into a slant or drag if you diagnose Cover 3 with a deep half safety cheating over, this keeps the concept balanced against single-high shells.
Pair this play with Levels Sail or Dagger from the same set to keep defenders guessing between quick game and shot plays off similar formation looks.
Against aggressive linebackers who jump the stick route, progress immediately to the corner route since the window opens up top once the underneath defender commits.
