The Lass Word: Hitches and Sticks
Shorter and quicker is better.
By KenLass
If you diligently watch Green Bay Packer football games, and I’m guessing you do because you are reading this article, I’m willing to bet you can tell the outcome of many plays, long before they are completed. When Jordan Love and the offense are hot, there is a rhythm you can almost dance to. Ball is snapped, Love drops back, hits the back foot, releases the ball, and voila! Completed pass.
By contrast, ball is snapped, Love drops back, hits the back foot.......but then holds the ball. Every time this happens, I say to myself, “this won’t be good”. And I’m almost always right. That’s going to be an inaccurate throw, a sack, or worse. Whenever the ball doesn’t come out right away, on schedule, the odds of a successful play go down drastically. Now, occasionally, Love will escape the pocket, make a nice run, or find somebody downfield with a great throw. Once in a while he will launch a desperation long ball that his receivers will adjust to and make a great catch. But most often, nothing positive comes from extended time with the football in his hand.
This last game against Pittsburgh is a good example. Love throws a quick out to Tucker Kraft, who runs 16 yards for a touchdown. Later Love hits him quickly and Kraft turns it into a sprint across the middle for a 24 yard score. Short, timing passes to Romeo Doubs, Malik Heath, Emanuel Wilson and Josh Jacobs all gained eight yards or more. The touchdown throw to Savion Williams was a quick toss, followed by an eight yard run. All of these plays were first read, rapidly developing designs.
It is true there were two long bombs to Kraft and Christian Watson, but a closer examination reveals those were prayers, ad-libbed late in the play, both of which probably should have been intercepted, save for the receivers making a great adjustment. There were also two long misses to Romeo Doubs.
The Packers move the ball when Love throws quickly and short. Not so much when the called routes are mid-range or deep. Hitches and Sticks. Those are the names for those quick, shallow routes that seem to work consistently. A hitch is where the receiver runs hard downfield for about five yards, just enough to get his opponent back pedaling, then stops suddenly and turns around, making himself available to the QB. A stick is when the receiver does a short sprint downfield, then “sticks” his foot in the ground, and makes a hard break left or right.
The reasons these routes work so well are clear: they unfold rapidly, preventing the pass rush from getting home. Defensive backs don’t have time to react, so the threat of an interception is minimal. Pass catchers are allowed to use their run-after-the-catch talent. They enable the quarterback to notch easy completions, getting him in a groove. The Packers should have little trouble recognizing this strategy. It’s the same one opponents have been forced to use against them because of the increased ferocity of Green Bay’s pass rush after the addition of Micah Parsons.
Of course, circumstances always dictate what type of play can be called. Hitches and sticks aren’t nearly as effective if you’re in a long yardage situation. That’s why they work better on first and second down, or third and short. It’s also why a viable running game is important. However, If you execute enough of them, you set the defense up for a double move, which may open up the deep ball.
It was largely hitches and sticks that allowed Jordan Love to tie a franchise record by completing twenty passes in a row against the Steelers. Those quick, short tosses can add up. So much so that the coach calling them, Matt LaFleur, had no idea his quarterback was approaching history. “I can’t say that I’ve (ever) been a part of that,” LaFleur said on Wednesday. “In game, I had no idea, to be honest with you. Matter of fact, the PR guy for the Steelers had to tell me that after the game.”
The Carolina Panthers are coming to town Sunday. There’s no telling which Green Bay team comes out of the tunnel, the mistake-prone one, or the smooth, efficient one. But one thing is sure: If the Packers fall in love with mid-range and deep passes, the offense will stall out. A solid running game would be nice. Carolina is 23rd in rushing yards allowed per attempt. But rushing daylight has been hard to find for this team. Chances are, LaFleur will have to go to the hitches and sticks to get the offense moving.
Want an early key to the game? Take note of how quickly Love gets the ball off. The sooner, the shorter, the better.
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (36)
Coldworld
October 31, 2025 at 06:48 am
I’m not sure that I wholly agree that quick throws are the secret to getting the most from Love. However, what quick throws do rely on is rhythm. Love does better when that is established and quick throws are one way to do that. However, going up tempo more consistently is probably as or more beneficial in my opinion.
Bitternotsour
October 31, 2025 at 08:10 am
that's exactly what my eyes are telling me.
LambeauPlain
October 31, 2025 at 09:12 am
"However, going up tempo more consistently is probably as or more beneficial in my opinion."
My impression too while reading Ken's article. He makes solid, supportive points but becoming predictable in the NFL will get you beat. Sticks and hitches are valuable for Love and this receiver core. But they also dilute Love's talent to make explosive plays downfield and keep the D off balance.
Up tempo helps to unleash the run game too. Has the lack of it been due to the make shift/shuffling of the OL? Pre and post snap penalties throw wrenches into the up tempo machine. So does delaying the snap until the play clock hits 3 seconds...or less.
dblbogey
October 31, 2025 at 02:03 pm
"It is true there were two long bombs to Kraft and Christian Watson, but a closer examination reveals those were prayers, ad-libbed late in the play, both of which probably should have been intercepted". What I saw on the Watson catch was Love throwing the ball perfectly.
GregC
October 31, 2025 at 06:52 am
Love was throwing more in rhythm against the Steelers, which was good to see. However, he also threw the ball downfield quite a bit, and he made some great long throws. I disagree that those deep throws to Kraft and Watson should've been intercepted. The first was a jump ball, with Kraft being physically superior to the defender and also being more prepared to see the ball coming his way. The second was an absolute beauty of a throw, with a high arch over the defender who was in front of Watson. And again, it was intended for a big receiver who had an advantage over the defenders. Those are the kinds of plays that win games. The throw to Kraft was the turning point of the game. The throw to Watson set up a TD. Teams that don't throw the ball downfield often end up with field goals instead of touchdowns, as the Steelers did during the first half.
I think the increase in quick passes against the Steelers was dictated by the fact that the pass rush was their defense's biggest strength. Also, the receivers were getting open on those short routes, which is not always the case. I would love to see another game like that, but it's not always possible.
Guam
October 31, 2025 at 08:30 am
I usually agree with you GregC, but we part company on those two wounded ducks Love threw up for grabs against the Steelers. I thought both would be interceptions and felt very fortunate that the Packer receivers made aggressive plays to secure the catches. I really hope Love does not try to repeat those efforts against a better secondary. His interceptions total will grow quickly if he does.
LambeauPlain
October 31, 2025 at 09:22 am
The receptions were made by Kraft and Watson were pure 50/50 balls. We read every draft about receivers who "excel at deep 50/50 balls and contested catches."
I know Love did state when he launched the pass to Kraft he said he knew were his TE was and probably saw he was in single coverage.
I don't believe either were passes into double coverage or blanketed receivers.
I read you Guam...don't want 10 of those a game. They were fantastic adjustments by Kraft and Watson who tracked the ball as the DBs covering them did not.
dobber
October 31, 2025 at 09:29 am
The Love Floaters seem come largely in man and benefit the WR who is looking for the ball, and not so much the DB who is looking for the WR.
Every one of those passes makes my stomach lurch.
Packerpasty
October 31, 2025 at 11:10 am
yup..I hold my breath on those, and yes both could have easily been intercepted...Pack got lucky on those next time maybe not..
Bitternotsour
October 31, 2025 at 05:33 pm
single high with man. as long as that safety is on the other side of the field it's a pretty fair fight.
Guam
October 31, 2025 at 11:39 am
I understand throwing 50/50 balls when the situation dictates, but I hope LaFleur/Love don't plan on making that a steady part of the offense. Secondaries will quickly start looking for those balls just like secondaries knew Farve would throw them a couple every game. When it isn't a surprise anymore..............
WestCoastPackerBacker
October 31, 2025 at 04:16 pm
With the throw to Kraft, #10 could tell it was one on one and the defender’s back was to the QB. Hard for the defense to “look” for a floater if they aren’t facing the QB. And they often come on broken plays and count on the connection b/t QB and WR or TE which is great to see happen. Rodgers was killer with those extended plays throws to Nelson/Cobb/Adams who knew what to do on a broken play.
TKWorldWide
October 31, 2025 at 07:23 am
I think coverage also plays a part in what type of routes and throws will be successful. Is the D in press-man? Or are they playing off? Zone?
Way back before the dawn of humanity, our high school coach said that “No defense can stop a crisply executed 5 yard out pattern”, and he ran that frequently in practice. I played corner (albeit not very well.) In man coverage that play was very hard to stop, but when we played cover 2 I used to intercept that pass all the time (much to his consternation/confusion.)
I am well aware that high school football was rudimentary checkers while the NFL is 500 dimensional chess, but I think some of these basics still apply.
Guam
October 31, 2025 at 08:25 am
As I was reading the article, I was thinking much same thoughts as you TKWW. What the defense is doing will have a lot to do with what pass plays are or aren't working. I like a short passing game, but an active zone coverage can jump those short routes and turn them into picks.
I think taking what the defense is giving you is always a better strategy than trying to impose your will in the passing game. Turnovers can turn a game upside down in a hurry.
TKWorldWide
October 31, 2025 at 09:44 am
Yes! And giving the QB adequate protection and time to throw is paramount as well. And the GB O-line is providing very good protection lately, especially against the Steelers. No sacks, IIRC.
Razer
October 31, 2025 at 08:52 am
Typically teams establish the run game to open up the pass game. I think this Packer team needs to flip that script. Our O-line has struggled in run blocking early and it has stalled the offense. Let Love know that he will be the man early and often. I have a feeling we will put the slow starts behind us. I would also like to see us develop a killer screen pass game. If you are going to have athletic linemen then leverage their movement.
dobber
October 31, 2025 at 09:26 am
Agreed...the play of the OL so far and the point that we've seen defenses trying to take away the inside run lanes on early downs points to this being a "pass to run" team rather than the other.
Coldworld
October 31, 2025 at 09:53 am
I agree with what you say. However, the fact is we have shown we can do both. Therefore, surely the smart approach is to be wedded to neither per se and to adapt to each opponent and change in game if required?
Going into the Steelers game we knew the run was going to be hard to establish but they were vulnerable to the pass. We also clearly knew Jacobs was not 100% as well. Nevertheless, we went out and tried the run first approach.
We frequently do this type of thing under LaFleur. It’s as if he has decided that we can just beat you at what you do best, rather than going for their weaknesses. It’s a big factor in why we struggle against some teams where we shouldn’t on paper in my opinion.
Ya_tittle
October 31, 2025 at 04:46 pm
As MM once said, "We do what we do."
A truly dumb philosophy.
LambeauPlain
October 31, 2025 at 09:30 am
Very plausible to pass to open the run...and that is where the stick and hitch routes can help the run game. Attack your opponent's greater weakness. Up tempo will also aid it.
The OL, 7 games in, is still out of synch. It is very frustrating...expected much more. Get them playing as a more cohesive unit and many problems will decrease and potency will increase. The most important unit on the football team is still a work in progress.
Coldworld
October 31, 2025 at 09:57 am
Last year we waited too long to remove the DL coach after a scheme change. This year we are suffering from Butkus being long past his sell by date after we switched to a run centric offense.
A coach has to be able to get his players at least average in the run game even if the pass pro is good. Alternatively we need to adapt the O to his limitations. Both are issues for LaFleur, neither are new this season, just exacerbated by health and the expectation of improvement after roster changes.
These types of failing tend to have multiplying effects over time as they tend to wear down players and exacerbate the chances of injury.
Bitternotsour
October 31, 2025 at 10:45 am
Correct me if I'm wrong but we are 5-1-1 and the #1 seed with a 3-game win streak, right?
There seems to be some entitlement creeping into your evaluations.
Leatherhead
October 31, 2025 at 10:50 am
You've been whining about Butkus for years, while we just continue to be one of the better offenses in the league.
You are not more astute than LaFleur, and I wish you'd quit pretending you are.
WestCoastPackerBacker
October 31, 2025 at 04:23 pm
How can you blame the coach, when much of the starting lineup has been injured either during training camp or early in the season, making it difficult for them to gel as a group? They are doing a more than decent job in pass protection, what Green Bay has always focused on with the offensive line Play.
We also don’t know how healthy the players actually are.
BuckyBadger
October 31, 2025 at 08:56 am
Yes when the QB is in rhythm and can has a WR open right away the offense tends to be more efficient. When they are pressured or no one is open and the QB has to go off script it will struggle more. This isn't a Green Bay Packer thing, this is a football thing. Of course we want it to run as plan but sometimes the other team has a plan of their own.
BuckyBadger
October 31, 2025 at 08:57 am
Packer's offense is one of the best at explosive plays and I don't want just short quick hitting routes. Those plays are great too but you need to stretch the defense in order for them to keep working.
LambeauPlain
October 31, 2025 at 09:37 am
"By contrast, ball is snapped, Love drops back, hits the back foot.......but then holds the ball. Every time this happens, I say to myself, “this won’t be good”.
I believe that is the case for most QBs, even more so in the NFL where running/ad lib QBs don't last long. Some have uncanny pocket presence to buy time...Rodgers & Mahomes are amazing "feeling" pressure, knowing when to rollout or run. Love has those skills too...but he is so much better passing on schedule and with a crisp up tempo.
harleycops
October 31, 2025 at 09:59 am
I tend to agree that a delayed throw sometimes spells trouble. I get edgy too when he does that. But QBs like Jackson/Mahommes hold the ball and then take off all the time & reap huge gains. If you can't throw fast, I'd like to see Love take more of those fast run routes for huge yardage or crucial 1st downs. Oh and don't forget to slide to be called "SAFE"!
BAMABADGER
October 31, 2025 at 11:03 am
No mention of Golden? MLF and Love have got to get Golden involved in the past game. He has the best hands on the team and is the fastest timed receiver. Enough with swing passes, jet sweeps. Throw him open over the middle and deep.... give him the opportunity to utilize his speed and moves to produce YAC. GPG!
WestCoastPackerBacker
October 31, 2025 at 04:26 pm
This seems a bit like a ridiculous complaint, when they got so much out of their tight end and other wide receivers against the Steelers. Love had one of his best games in his career, and you’re going to complain that one of the wide receivers didn’t get used enough? And the guy you’re complaining about is a rookie? And the game included their stud wide receiver, returning from injury for the first time?
I’m all for getting Matthew Golden involved in the passing game, but I don’t really care who ends up with the best stats. As long as they’re moving the ball and scoring, it could be Tucker Karft, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Golden or Reed when he comes back from injury.
LeotisHarris
October 31, 2025 at 11:24 am
Hitches and Sticks.
Do what you may, Commentariat, I'm off to listen to:
Clocks and Spoons
Fish and Whistle
Donald and Lydia
in no particular order. GPG
Leatherhead
October 31, 2025 at 12:37 pm
That quick passing game looks unstoppable when it's working. I think that if you're going to go to all the trouble of throwing, it's better to throw it downfield, where you're more likely to get a chunk play, but I'm not going to argue against something that worked so well for us last week.
Defenses will adjust to that. Ultimately, you have to put the fear of the bomb in them or they'll start misbehaving.
Alberta_Packer
October 31, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Short quick passes are best when you want to - not have to. In the Steelers game we saw that Rodgers "had to" because of the Packers rush. No doubt it limited his efficacy.
Opening the full playbook is the best scenario for any QB. Especially for a talented QB like Love - who can also throw medium and long passes. Sometimes options are better than plans.
Turophile
October 31, 2025 at 03:30 pm
Quick short passes work best with the defense sitting a little deeper...........and why would they do that ? Because they are afraid of being beaten deep.
Just as the run game makes the passing game easier, so the deep pass makes the shorter passes work better.
As defenses adjust and alter their setup, so the offense should then adjust things themselves, to take advantage. Shorter passes when the D fears longer ones. Running the ball to blunt the pass rush and push more defenders in the box to open the pass game.
Commit to a six man Offensive front (with a TE as the 6th), then block and release the TE to free him for a catch. Run your RB up the middle a few times, then mix in a screen pass or end around.
It's all complementary football - and if you can make the defense do what it doesn't want to do, you are winning.
The four man pass rush is a good example of this. Every team WANTS the defense to be able to pressure and sack the QB with just four rushers. But, many teams don't have the top tier players to do that, they must do something else to pressure the QB, so they rush 5 or 6 sometimes, which creates spaces in the defensive backfield to exploit.
bjkdad44
October 31, 2025 at 01:11 pm
Again… I could’ve finish the article because of the STUPIDPLACEMENT AND NON-MOVEABILITY OF YGE ADD!!!!!
bjkdad44
October 31, 2025 at 01:27 pm
THE