Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Stick out of Singleback Deuce Close (12 personnel) shows both attached TEs releasing outside the numbers on corner routes while the boundary TE runs a quick stick route sitting down over the ball. The backside route bends vertically before breaking, giving you a natural stick concept flanked by two corner routes stretching the sideline. This is a classic zone beater built to attack cornerbacks bailing into deep thirds while the stick route settles into the void underneath, and the primary read progression starts with the stick route, then works to either corner route based on which cornerback widens or opens his hips.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth: two deep safeties usually signal Cover 2 or Cover 4, both of which invite the corner routes over the top of underneath defenders. Watch linebacker depth at the snap since a linebacker sitting shallow will collapse on the stick route and force you to the corner route immediately. Man coverage with press corners is the biggest threat to this concept since the corner routes get reroute at the top and the stick route has no natural pick to work with. Look for a user-controlled defender lurking in the shallow zone since that player can jump the stick route if you stare it down too long. Cover 3 buzz or Cover 1 robber concepts with a rallying safety will squeeze the middle read, so be ready to work outside to the corner routes if the middle gets clogged.
Usage Tips
Read the flat defender before the snap to decide if the stick route will have room to sit down in the void.
Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells, throw the corner routes early since cornerbacks bailing deep create natural windows behind the flat defenders.
Use this on third and short to medium distance since the stick route gives a quick, safe completion if the corners are covered.
Hot route the backside TE into a flat route against man coverage if you see press corners jumping the stick concept.
Pair Stick with Corner Stops or PA Boot Corner Post in your play-calling sequence to keep defenses honest on both the quick game and the vertical shots off the same formation look.
