Football Toolbox

Create Havoc for the Defense with the 3-Step Spread Stick Concept

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This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.

Blake Mouser, Head Coach at Tolar HS (TX), utilizes several ways to create havoc for their opponents.  Among those are:

  • Tempos
  • Formations and Motions
  • Personnel Groupings
  • Read (RPOs/Run Reads)

The video below was excerpted from his Glazier Drive presentation on six of his 3-Step & 5-Step Spread Passing Concepts.

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The quarterback’s pre-snap read involves identifying defender numbers and leverage, while the post-snap read focuses on the cornerback to determine whether to throw to the stick route, speed out, or vertical route.

Key points covered in the video include:

  1. Stick Concept: The stick route is a 5-yard hitch designed to sit in the zone between the Mike and Sam linebackers. The slot receiver runs a speed out, and the outside receiver runs an outside release vertical.
  2. Quarterback Footwork and Reads: The QB uses a right-left footwork progression and reads the defense pre-snap to identify leverage. Post-snap, the QB reads the cornerback to decide where to throw.
  3. Formations and Motion: The coach emphasizes using formations and motion to create favorable matchups, such as motioning a running back out to create an empty set or compressing receivers to force zone coverage.
  4. Spacing and Route Adjustments: The spacing concept involves receivers finding specific windows between defenders (e.g., between the Mike and Sam linebackers). The QB works through an inside-out progression, aiming for quick, high-percentage throws.
  5. Personnel Groupings: The coach highlights the importance of aligning playmakers in advantageous positions, such as motioning a top receiver from the backfield to create mismatches.
  6. Pass Protection: The QB has the option to slide protection based on pre-snap blitz reads, ensuring proper blocking against defensive pressures.
  7. Game Planning: The coach discusses how to adapt the stick concept based on defensive tendencies, such as how corners play the stick route or how safeties align.

Overall, the video provides a comprehensive guide to executing the stick concept, emphasizing pre-snap reads, route adjustments, and leveraging formations and motion to create explosive plays. It’s a valuable resource for coaches looking to incorporate this high-efficiency passing concept into their offense.