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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
Deep Stick Out is a trips-based pass concept out of Shotgun Y Off Trips with 11 personnel. The backside single receiver runs a deep corner route while the trips side stacks a deep out from the outside receiver, a vertical stick nod from the slot, and a shallow flat/stick route from the inside receiver near the backfield. The line shows straight pass protection with no play-action or run elements, making this a full dropback passing concept designed to stretch zone defenders vertically and horizontally, with the primary read starting on the stick nod route in the middle before working out to the deep out and backside corner.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is in a single high shell like Cover 3 or Cover 1, since the backside corner route becomes a strong isolation read against those shells. Watch linebacker depth on the stick nod route, as shallow linebackers signal underneath zone coverage that will jump that route. Look for a deep half safety rotating toward the trips side, which indicates Cover 2 or Cover 4 and should push the read to the deep out sitting in the void between the corner and safety. Post-snap, key any user-controlled defender lurking in the shallow flat area, since that player can jump the stick route and bait a turnover. If the defense shows heavy blitz pressure with man coverage tags, expect the corner and out routes to be your best options since they attack vertical and boundary space quickly before pressure arrives.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or third and medium when you need a chain-mover with a deep shot attached. Check the middle of the field pre-snap: if you see a single high safety, target the deep corner route on the backside since it isolates the corner. If the defense shows two-high or soft zone, work the stick nod to out progression on the trips side for easy yardage. Hot route the shallow stick route into a quick flat conversion against man coverage to beat aggressive corners jumping the out. Pair this play with Stick or Curls from the same set to keep the defense honest on shorter combos before hitting this deeper shot. Use the deep out as a sideline clock-stopper in two minute situations since it breaks toward the boundary quickly.
