Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Stick out of Singleback Trips Open is a quick-game route concept built to attack the trips side with a stick combo while the backside receiver runs a comeback breaking upfield. From the diagram, the trips side shows an out and up wheel route from the inside slot, a flat route from the tight end, and a corner route from the outer slot, forming a classic stick triangle read (flat, corner, wheel). The backside single receiver runs a comeback route, giving the quarterback a built-in outlet away from trips coverage rotation. This is a man and zone beater based on the flat-to-corner spacing, and the primary progression starts with the flat route, works up to the corner, then hits the wheel if defenders overcommit underneath.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth over the trips side, a single high safety usually means Cover 3 and the corner route should sit down in the open zone. If the corner over the backside single receiver is playing tight man press, expect a comeback route win against grabby coverage since the break creates natural separation. Post-snap, key the flat defender's first two steps, if he sinks toward the corner route the flat route is wide open for an easy completion. Watch for a linebacker blitzing off the edge or through the A gap, since the quick-game timing of stick routes helps neutralize most nano blitzes before they reach the pocket. Cover 4 shells with matched zone drops can suffocate the corner and wheel routes, so if you see quarters coverage, prioritize the flat route or backside comeback instead.
Usage Tips
Read the flat defender first since his reaction dictates whether the flat route or corner route opens up immediately.
Use this on third and short to third and medium since the flat and stick routes settle in soft spots against both Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells.
If the defense shows man coverage pre-snap with a corner shaded outside on the trips receivers, hot route the flat man to a slant to beat inside leverage.
Pair this play with 61 X Choice or Curl Flat Corner in your play-calling sequence since both use similar trips formations but attack different levels, keeping the defense guessing.
Watch for a nickel defender cheating up pre-snap, that usually signals an underneath jump on the flat route, so be ready to progress quickly to the corner or wheel.
