Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Stick out of Singleback Bunch aligns three receivers tight to the formation with an isolated X to the backside. Off the snap the bunch releases into a classic Stick concept: the outside receiver runs a corner route stretching the deep third, the middle bunch receiver settles into a shallow stick/hitch around 5 yards, and the inside bunch man works an underneath flat/drag route crossing the formation, while the backside X runs a quick out breaking to the sideline. This is a man and zone beater built for quick timing throws, with the primary read progression starting at the flat/drag route underneath, working up to the stick hitch in the middle, and finishing with the corner route as the deep window against zone coverage or a favorable man matchup.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebacker depth pre-snap, since shallow linebackers signal they will jump the stick hitch and open up the corner route behind them. Key the flat defender post-snap, if he sinks with the drag route the middle of the field opens for the stick hitch to work as your first read. Against Cover 2, the corner route is the primary beater since it attacks the seam between the cornerback and safety before the safety can rotate over. Man coverage with underneath help can jump the flat/drag route quickly, so be ready to reset to the stick hitch if you see a user-controlled defender sitting on the crossing route. Blitz-heavy fronts that bring extra rushers leave the flat route wide open almost instantly, so recognize hot blitz packages pre-snap and get the ball out on time to the shallow route.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two-high or single-high safety because Stick punishes zone drops that leave the stick hitch open in the middle of the field.
Use the corner route as a hot beater against Cover 3 or Cover 4 when the corner sinks too deep, since the stick hitch sits right in the void created underneath.
Against man coverage, target the flat/drag route first since the crossing action from the bunch creates natural traffic and rub for the underneath defender.
Run this on third and short to medium since the stick hitch and out route give you multiple high-percentage completion windows within 5 to 8 yards.
Pair this play with HB Slam or HB Slash Fk End Arnd from the same set to keep the defense honest against the run before coming back to Stick for a quick, low-risk passing down.
