Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Stick out of Singleback Wing Flex Close 12 personnel shows a classic Stick concept to the closed side, with the outside receivers on both edges running deep flat routes toward the sideline and a middle stick route sitting down in the underneath zone off the ball. The tight end or wing runs a vertical seam that breaks outside, giving you a three-level stretch between the flat, the stick, and the seam window. This is a quick-game man and zone beater built for a fast release ball, with the primary progression starting at the stick route in the shallow hook zone before working out to the flat and up to the seam breaker.
Defensive Reads
Key the middle linebacker at the snap since his drop angle tells you whether the stick window is open or capped. Watch for a user controlled defender flashing down into the shallow hook zone, which signals a lurk read designed to jump the stick route. Check safety depth pre-snap, since two high safeties usually mean the flat routes will be exposed against soft corners playing off coverage. If cornerbacks are pressed at the line, that is a strong indicator of man coverage, which means the seam breaker becomes your top target off a hot route conversion. Cover 3 with a sky safety rotating down can squeeze the flat throws, so be ready to climb the progression to the seam route if the flat defender sits too wide.
Usage Tips
Read the middle linebacker depth pre-snap because if he sits shallow the stick route will be capped and you need to go directly to the seam breaker.
Use motion or a quick pre-snap glance to identify if the defense is showing Cover 2 or Cover 3, since the flat routes stretch cornerbacks who are sitting in soft zones.
Against man coverage, hot route the seam runner to a corner or bring him out on a slant to create instant separation off the break.
This play pairs well with Four Verticals in the same set since both attack the same alignment but stress the defense vertically instead of horizontally.
Call this on second and short to medium yardage situations where defenses often sit in zone shells expecting a run, letting you exploit the stick sit route for an easy conversion.
