Playbooks

Stick

Shotgun·Wing Trips Wk Nasty·11

Stick Stick Concept Pass Play

Play diagram for Stick from Shotgun Wing Trips Wk Nasty in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetWing Trips Wk Nasty

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 4 playbooks

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Breakdown

Stick from Wing Trips Wk Nasty is a quick-hitting zone beater built off the classic Stick concept, but with the trips side condensed to give the offense a two-man mini combo away from the main stick triangle. On the trips side, the outside receiver runs a stick/hitch into the flat area while the inside slot receiver runs an angle route back to the middle, giving the QB a built-in high-low read against zone drops. To the backside (weak side), the two receivers stretch the field vertically and horizontally with a go route and a flat route, pulling coverage away from the trips stick concept. The line and TE stay in to protect (note the red vertical arrow marking the blocking assignment), and the primary progression starts with the stick/flat route, works to the angle route sitting down inside, and comes back to the backside flat as the checkdown against pressure.

Defensive Reads

Read the middle linebacker depth pre-snap since Stick concepts live in the underneath zone windows he is responsible for defending. Watch for a user-controlled linebacker sitting in the stick/angle window, as this is the most common way defenses shut down the primary read. Check safety alignment for two-high shells, which usually signal off coverage and open up the angle route for an easy completion over the middle. Against Cover 3, key the flat defender: if he widens with the stick route, look immediately to the angle route working behind him. Watch for overload blitzes off the backside since the protection is a standard pass set with no extra chip help, meaning quick decision-making is required against pressure.

Usage Tips

Use this play on third and short to medium since the stick and angle routes settle into soft zone windows quickly for an easy conversion.

Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing zone or man shell by checking linebacker depth and if the slot corner is pressed or off the trips receivers.

Against zone coverage, prioritize the angle route working inside since it settles behind linebackers and in front of safeties in the throwing lane.

Against man coverage, hot route the backside go route into a quick slant or use the flat route as a rhythm throw to beat off-man leverage before the rush arrives.

Pair this play with PA Slide or RPO Buck Alert Out from the same set to keep linebackers honest, then come back to Stick once they start sitting on run action.