Mtn Stick N Nod

Watch the corner over the motion man, if he trails across the formation pre-snap that confirms man coverage and opens up the nod route for a big play down the sideline. In zone coverage, identify the flat defender's drop, if he widens too far chasing the out route the stick sitter in the middle of the field becomes the primary target. Beware of a nickel or slot blitz off the trips side, since the stick concept relies on the middle defender clearing out for the sit route, a blitzing linebacker can jump that route for a user pick. Check safety depth before the snap, a single high safety cheating toward the trips side signals the backside vertical could be a deep shot if the corner is playing off. Look for a Cover 3 buzz rotation where the flat defender sinks under the corner route, this coverage shell is the toughest matchup for the nod route and forces you to check down to the stick or out.