Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn Stick is a Stick concept out of the Shotgun Wing Stack 12 personnel look, with the diagram showing a stacked receiver motioning across the formation pre-snap before the ball is snapped. On the backside, two receivers run a classic Stick combo: one sits on a quick out at the sticks while the other runs a shallow flat route underneath, creating a horizontal stretch on the flat defender. On the frontside, the tight end or slot runs a whip/flat route breaking outside while the outside receiver pushes vertically up the seam before bending it back, giving the quarterback a deep clear-out read paired with an underneath option. This is primarily a man beater thanks to the motion and pick-style action at the stack, though the Stick side also holds up well against zone due to the natural high-low stretch.
Defensive Reads
Watch the motion defender pre-snap: if a linebacker or corner mirrors the stack receiver across the formation, you are facing man coverage and should jump the out or flat route with a user defender. Key the flat defender post-snap, since the Stick concept is designed to put him in a bind between the shallow flat route and the out at the sticks. Identify Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells by checking corner depth pre-snap, since soft corners sitting off the line signal a zone drop that lets the vertical route occupy the safety. Use a linebacker or nickel defender to sit in the flat and jump the shallow route, forcing the quarterback to hold the ball longer and check off to the vertical. Bring a blitz off the edge on the frontside to disrupt the timing of the whip route, since the quick-hitting nature of this concept relies on rhythm throws.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone coverage: if the defender follows the motion man across the formation, you are getting man coverage and should key the Stick side immediately.
Against zone shells, work the deep vertical route to hold the safety and hit the whip/flat underneath before the flat defender can sink under it.
This play pairs well with Stick and Double Cross in the same set, since all three attack similar areas but stress defenders differently, keeping the defense guessing on the stack alignment.
Best used on second or third and short to medium, where the quick Stick concept can pick up an easy first down against zone drops.
If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with deep safeties bailing at the snap, prioritize the flat and out routes rather than forcing the vertical read.
Use hot routes to convert the shallow flat into a drag if you see heavy underneath zone congestion, giving your quarterback a quick outlet against a blitz look.
