Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Stick out of Singleback Tight Y Off 11 personnel shows a classic three man stick concept to one side with an outlet route away from it. To the right, the outside receiver runs a quick flag to the corner while the inside slot sits down on a stick route around 5 yards, creating a natural rub for man coverage and a high low stretch on the flat defender in zone. The tight end runs a vertical seam that breaks outside into a flag as well, occupying the deep half or hole defender, while the backside receiver runs a shallow drag across the field as a scramble and hot outlet. Blocking is a standard 5 man protection with the running back releasing into the drag route area, making this a true dropback passing concept built to beat both man and zone coverage on the strong side.
Defensive Reads
Presnap check corner depth on the strong side, if they are playing tight man press expect the stick route to be your quarterback's first look due to the natural rub. Watch the flat or curl to flat defender at the snap, if he sinks with the corner flag route the stick route sits wide open underneath. Cover 3 with a hard sitting curl defender is the toughest shell against this concept since it takes away both the stick and the flag simultaneously, forcing the quarterback to the backside drag. User controlled defenders sitting the short middle zone can jump the stick route, so watch for a defender parked around 5 yards who baits the throw. Blitz heavy looks with man coverage behind them are vulnerable here since the quick stick route and drag both get open fast before pressure arrives, making this a strong answer versus nano blitzes.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify if the defense is showing two high or single high safety look because Stick works against both but your primary target changes based on shell.
Against zone coverage read the flat defender first, if he sits on the stick route throw the corner flag behind him for the window shot.
Against man coverage look immediately to the stick route sitting down, the natural pick from the corner route clears space for an easy completion underneath.
Use the backside drag as your checkdown against blitz looks since it clears the middle fast and gives you a built in answer versus pressure.
Pair this play with PA Deep Curls or PA Deep Out later in a series once the defense starts jumping the stick route, since those plays attack the same alignment with a deeper shot off similar route stems.
