Playbooks
Empty Mtn Sprint Stick is an empty backfield quick game concept built around sprint out mechanics and a stick route package to the trips side. The QB works a sprint out action, using the stick, flat, and hitch combination to attack the flat and underneath zones while the empty formation forces defenses to declare coverage or blitz intentions before the snap. This is primarily a zone beater that also holds up against man due to the natural rub and spacing created by the stick concept, with the primary read progression starting on the flat defender to determine if the stick or the flat route is open, then working back to the hitch or backside option if the sprint out flushes the QB away from initial pressure.
Check the pre-snap alignment of the flat defender and outside linebacker to see if they are sitting in zone or crashing downhill on a blitz. Look at safety depth before the snap since empty formations often force a safety to declare run support or deep zone coverage. Post-snap, key the flat defender first since he determines whether the stick route or flat route is the higher percentage throw. Watch for a user lurk defender sitting in the shallow zone since he can jump the stick route if the QB stares it down too long. This concept struggles against disciplined zone blitzes that get quick pressure on the sprint out side, so be ready to reset with the backside hot route if the initial rush timing beats the sprint action.
Use the empty backfield pre-snap to identify if defenders are showing blitz or dropping into zone since there is no running back to help in protection.
Sprint out to the side with the strongest route combo to shorten the throwing window for the QB and limit deep safety help over the top.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or slant if you see man coverage rolled to the sprint side, giving yourself an outlet away from the flow of the play.
This play works best on second and short or third and short since the stick and flat combo are designed to pick up quick yardage against zone drops.
Pair this with Mtn RPO Alert Swing or Empty Mtn Mesh Flat in the same set to keep defenses guessing between quick game sprint concepts and RPO reads out of the same empty personnel look.