Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Stick out of Singleback Trey 11 personnel shows a classic quick game concept built to the trips side. The outside receiver in the bunch runs a vertical seam up the numbers, the inside slot runs a quick out to the flat, and the third receiver settles into a shallow stick route sitting down over the ball. The backside X runs a deep crossing route from the boundary all the way across the field, while the running back releases from the backfield on a swing/flare route out to the flat as an outlet. Protection is a standard five man pass pro look with the RB checking release, and the primary progression works flat to stick to seam, using the flat and stick routes to stretch underneath zone defenders horizontally before hitting the seam behind them.
Defensive Reads
Presnap check safety depth, if both safeties are deep and the corners are off the line this is likely zone coverage and the stick and flat combo will be open underneath. If the cornerback on the trips side is pressed up with no safety help over the top, expect man coverage and look immediately to the seam route for a vertical win. Post snap watch the underneath linebackers, if they sink into the flat and stick zones and clog those throwing lanes the seam route becomes the primary answer. Beware of Cover 3 sky or cloud looks with a hard flat defender, this can jump the stick route quickly so be ready to hit the seam or backside crosser instead. Watch for a user controlled defender lurking in the shallow zone over the stick route, if he sits there disguising the throw the swing route to the running back is the safety valve.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify whether the defense is showing zone or man by checking linebacker depth and cornerback alignment on the trips side.
Against zone coverage, work the flat to stick read quickly since those routes attack the natural void between the underneath zones.
Against man coverage, target the seam route or the backside crosser since both create natural separation against tight man technique.
Use this on early downs or third and short since the stick and flat routes are designed to convert quick, high percentage completions.
Pair this with HB Stretch or HB Zone Wk from the same formation to keep the defense honest on run fits before coming back to Stick for a quick passing answer.
Combine with PA Boot or PA Solid Corner later in a series once the defense starts jumping the stick and flat routes aggressively.
