Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Stick out of Singleback Bunch Ace shows a bunch alignment to the right with a lone receiver split left. The lone receiver runs a quick hitch to the boundary while the bunch releases into a classic Stick concept: the flag/corner route stretches vertically outside, an out breaks to the flat underneath it, and the third bunch receiver (red route) works a hook or curl over the middle to sit in the void. This is a man beater and zone beater built for quick access, with the primary read progression going flag first to hold the deep defender, then out to the flat, then the hook/settle route as the checkdown if the middle opens up.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a user-controlled linebacker sitting in the shallow middle hook zone, that defender is designed to jump the hook route so bait him with eye discipline before working outside. Cover 3 defenses with a deep third safety can be attacked on the flag route if the corner sinks too early, but disciplined zone drops that hold the flat/out route will bracket the concept and slow it down. Man coverage with no safety help over the bunch side is where this play wins fastest, since the out and flag stretch the same defender vertically and horizontally. Blitz-heavy fronts that bring extra rushers off the edge can be exploited immediately with the flat route, since it releases fast and beats man coverage before pressure arrives. If the defense shows two deep safeties (Cover 2 or Cover 4), expect the corner route to be squeezed, so prioritize the flat and hook combination underneath instead.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing man or zone based on cornerback depth on the bunch side, tight press alignment usually signals man coverage which favors the flag route beating outside leverage. Against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, key the flat defender: if he sinks with the out route, hit the hook/curl sitting behind him in the vacated middle window. Use the flat route as your rhythm throw on quick game downs like second or third and short, it gets the ball out fast against blitz looks. Combine this with PA Boot or PA Boot Rt from the same set to keep linebackers honest on run fits before coming back to Stick as a fast-developing answer to disguised pressure. Motion or check into the single receiver hitch side if you see man coverage isolated on that receiver with no help over the top.
