Football Library · Plays
Stick· 7v7 Flag
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).
Coaching breakdown
Stick — 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). reads Trips: take the open window — work the progression below in order.
Progression:
- 6-yd sit — primary — first read, find the void in zone and sit.
- 4-yd flat — low element of the high-low — the throw if the curl defender drops.
- 18-yd go — clear the deep safety; throw if the corner gives a soft shoulder.
- 18-yd go — clear the deep safety; throw if the corner gives a soft shoulder.
- 3-yd drag — settle in the underneath window — keep eyes on the QB.
When to call it
3rd-down staple, especially 3rd-and-3 to 3rd-and-6. The sit gives you a settled target; the flat is the hot if zone rotates underneath.
Common mistakes
- 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.