Stick diagram
- 1
Y runs five yards and sits. H runs to the flat under him. Whichever one the flat defender leaves is the throw.
When to call Stick
Call it on third and 4 or any time you need a sure 5 yards. It is a good first pass of the game because it gets the quarterback a completion.
It holds up against man and zone. If the defense starts crowding the short routes, Z's go route on the same side is the next thing to throw.
Stick: each player's job
QB
Look at the flat defender on the right. Throw to Y sitting at 5 yards unless that defender is standing on him.
C
Run 4 yards straight ahead and stop. You keep the middle defender from jumping Y.
X
Run a slant from the left side. It is the quick throw if the right side is covered.
Z
Run a go route from the outside of the trips and take the deepest defender on that side with you.
Y
The ball comes to you first. Run 6 yards, stop and come back a step to about 5, facing the quarterback with your hands up.
H
From the inside of the trips, go 4 or 5 yards and break hard to the right sideline, underneath Y.
F
Swing to the left from beside the quarterback to widen the defense on the back side.
What the quarterback looks at
The quarterback reads one player, the underneath defender closest to the right sideline. If he runs out with H, Y is open at 5 yards. Throw it as soon as Y turns.
If that defender squeezes inside on Y, H is open in the flat with room to run. Either throw should be out in about two seconds.
How to teach Stick at practice
- 1
Put a cone at 5 yards for Y. He runs past it, stops and comes back to it every time.
- 2
Add H on the quick out. His break happens just as Y stops.
- 3
Stand a coach in the flat. He points at Y or H at the snap, and the quarterback throws to the other one.
Common mistakes
- Y keeps drifting after he stops and runs into coverage. Sit means stop and face the ball.
- H breaks at 2 yards and the same defender can cover both routes. Get him to 4 yards before the cut.
- The quarterback decides who to throw to before the snap. Make him say the defender's move out loud in practice.
Stick FAQ
What is the stick concept in flag football?
Stick is a short sit route paired with a quick out or flat route to the same side. The flat defender cannot cover both. It is one of the first pass plays many teams install.
How many yards should stick gain?
Plan on 5, and anything after the catch is extra. That makes it a steady call for first downs in 7 on 7 flag football.
Can I run stick to the left?
Flip the trips to the left side and every route mirrors. Run it both ways so the defense cannot sit on one side.
More plays: all 7v7 flag football plays, easy plays. Draw your own in the flag football play designer.