Football Library · Plays
Stick· 5v5 Flag
basicaka Stick Concept
3rd-down staple — slot sit + flat underneath, clear out over the top.
The design
How Stick works
- 3rd-down staple.
- Inside receiver / slot runs a sit at 5-6 yds (the 'stick'); outside receiver clears with a fade or go; back releases to the flat.
- High-low on the flat defender — same idea as curl-flat but uses a SIT instead of a curl (more deliberate settle).
Coach the details
Every player's job
- : 6-yard sit inside — settle in the void, face the QB.
- : 4-yard flat to the sideline — release flat — outlet for the QB.
- : 18-yard go — full-speed release, ball goes over the top.
- : 5-yard hitch inside — quick stop, eyes back to the QB on rhythm.
Call sheet
When and where to run it
- Money downs3rd-down staple, especially 3rd-and-3 to 3rd-and-6.
- Defensive lookThe sit gives you a settled target; the flat is the hot if zone rotates underneath.
- Defensive lookVs zone, the stick runner settles in the first open window; vs man, convert the sit to an option break away from leverage.
- Money downsOn 3rd down, set the stick depth at the line to gain.
- Red zoneIn the low red zone, compress the split and let the flat runner race the pylon while the sit works just inside the goal line.
Pre-snap to post-snap
Read the defense
Best against
Keys to watch
- Vs zone, the stick runner settles in the first open window; vs man, convert the sit to an option break away from leverage.
- High-low on the flat defender — same idea as curl-flat but uses a SIT instead of a curl (more deliberate settle).
Be ready to change the answer
- Cover 0: Anything that develops slowly — pressure gets home first Better answers: Four Verticals, Mesh, Slant-Flat, Smash
- Cover 1: Outside vertical shots — the free safety caps them over the top Better answers: Mesh, Drive, Smash, Y-Cross, Four Verticals, Levels
- Cover 2: The flats — the corner squats and jumps anything quick outside Better answers: Smash, Four Verticals, Flood
- Tampa 2: The deep middle — the Mike runs it, so a straight seam is contested (unlike base Cover 2) Better answers: Smash, Flood
Troubleshooting
What can break the play
- Avoid Stick when the defense brackets the slot with inside and outside leverage, or when press coverage prevents the clear-out from releasing cleanly.
- It is built to win underneath; do not call it when you need a sideline chunk or a touchdown from outside the red zone.
- Slot doesn't sit — keeps running, the route becomes a dig and loses the high-low element.
- Outside receiver doesn't clear hard enough; the deep defender sinks and the stick window closes.
- QB throws the flat before reading the LB — kills the high-low purpose. Read the underneath defender first.
Build it into a complete package
See how Stick fits with complementary calls and a practical installation sequence.