---
title: "Stick Route in Football Explained"
description: "The stick route runs to 5 yards and either sits against zone or breaks out against man. How it is run and why it anchors the Stick concept."
url: https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/routes/stick/
---

route

# Stick Route

A stick runs to about 5 yards and reads the coverage: against zone it sits in the open window facing you, and against man it breaks outside, away from the defender. It is the short, reliable route at the heart of the Stick concept.

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

## How the Stick Is Run

A slot or tight end usually runs it. In Crucible's diagram the dotted path (labeled MATCH) is the man-coverage adjustment and the solid path sits against zone.

## What It Beats

- Cover 3 and other zones, sitting in the window between the Hook/Curl and Curl/Flat defenders.
- Man coverage, breaking away from the defender's leverage.
- Third and short, when you need a quick, high-percentage completion.

## Common Questions

### What is a stick route in football?

A stick runs to about 5 yards and reads the coverage: against zone it sits in the open window facing you, and against man it breaks outside, away from the defender.

## Concepts Built With the Stick

-

![Pin diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/concepts/pin.thumb.webp)

Pin Stick / Basic / Post

-

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

Stick Stick / Arrow / Go
-

![Twig diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/concepts/twig.thumb.webp)

Twig Stick / Box Fade / Bar

## Related passing concepts

-

Stick Stick / Arrow / Go

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