---
title: "Stick Concept Explained: Routes, Reads & Beaters"
description: "Stick pairs a 5-yard stick route with an arrow to the flat and a go route. The build, the quarterback's read and why it is a staple against Cover 3."
url: https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/concepts/stick/
---

passing concept

# Stick Concept

Stick is a quick-game concept with three routes to one side: a stick at 5 yards, an arrow to the flat and a go route. Few concepts are as reliable against Cover 3 or on short-yardage downs.

![Stick passing concept diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/concepts/stick.webp)

## How Stick Is Built

In Crucible's Stick, the inside receiver's stick sits against zone and breaks out against man. The slot runs an arrow to the flat, and the go route outside takes the corner deep and out of the flat.

## What Stick Beats

- Cover 3: the Curl/Flat defender cannot cover the stick and the arrow at once.
- Quarters and other zones with soft underneath defenders.
- Man, with the stick breaking away from leverage.

## How the QB Reads It

Read the Curl/Flat defender and feel the Hook/Curl defender. If the Curl/Flat defender widens, throw the stick; if that defender sits inside on the stick, throw the arrow. The go route is the shot if the corner squats or loses the receiver. In Crucible's Stick Slant you work the Stick side against two-high looks and the Slant side against one high.

## The Routes in Stick

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![Stick diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/routes/stick.thumb.webp)

Stick

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![Arrow diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/routes/arrow.thumb.webp)

Arrow

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![Go diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/routes/go.thumb.webp)

Go

## Rep Stick Against These Coverages

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![Cover 1 diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-1.thumb.webp)

Cover 1 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 2 Tampa diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-2-tampa.thumb.webp)

Cover 2 Tampa 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 3 diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-3.thumb.webp)

Cover 3 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 4 diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-4.thumb.webp)

Cover 4 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 6 diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-6.thumb.webp)

Cover 6 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 3 Buzz diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-3-buzz.thumb.webp)

Cover 3 Buzz 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 3 Weak Buzz diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-3-weak-buzz.thumb.webp)

Cover 3 Weak Buzz 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 5 diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-5.thumb.webp)

Cover 5 31 plays to rep against

+ 4 more in Crucible

## Stick Plays in Crucible

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![Stick Omaha diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/plays/stick-omaha.thumb.webp)

Stick Omaha

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![Stick Slant diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/plays/stick-slant.thumb.webp)

Stick Slant

## Related coverages

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Cover 3 31 plays to rep against

## Related routes

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Stick

Rep Stick in Crucible
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