Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Stick Nod Vertical lines up from Singleback Wing Tight with a wing attached to the formation. The backside X runs a quick out breaking away from the core concept, the slot runs a stick nod (settling and pushing vertical off the stick route) while a tight end releases vertical up the seam off play-action style protection, and the wing motions from the backfield area on a flat route before turning it upfield into a corner/wheel breaking route toward the sideline. This is a man beater built off the classic stick concept, using the nod to freeze underneath defenders and the wing's wheel route to attack cornerbacks who pass off in man coverage, with the primary read progression going stick nod to wheel route to backside out.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell, since this play is most dangerous versus man coverage with no deep help over the wing. Watch the flat defender and outside linebacker on the wing side, if they widen with the flat route early they will not be able to carry the wheel route vertically. Key the slot defender's reaction to the stick nod, if he sits hard on the stick portion the nod will separate vertically for an easy throw. Man coverage with off corners struggles most against this concept because the wheel route will stack on top of the cornerback before he can react. Cover 3 or cover 4 shells with disciplined zone drops and a flat defender who stays patient on the wheel can shut this play down, and a user lurking underneath in the middle of the field can jump the stick nod route if the quarterback stares it down too long.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and medium when you expect man coverage since the stick nod and wheel combo is designed to exploit man defenders who get picked or lose leverage. Pre-snap, check safety depth and cornerback alignment on the wing, if the corner is playing tight man with no safety help over the top, target the wheel route on the wing for an explosive gain. Hot route the backside X into a hitch or slant if you see press man on the boundary to give yourself a quick answer versus blitz. Combine this play with Y Stick or Dragon Spacing earlier in a drive to condition the defense to sit on quick game, then hit this shot play off the wheel route when they bite on stick concepts. Against zone heavy defenses, look to the seam route from the tight end since the nod route occupies underneath zone defenders and opens a window up the hash.
