the sticks

Meaning

1. A remote, rural area; a place that is removed from civilization such as the boondocks.
2. The set of yardage markers used by a chain crew to indicate the ten yards between the line of scrimmage from the previous first down and the line to gain, which the offense must reach in their series of four downs in order to retain possession of the ball.

Etymology / origin

Possibly derived from 1800s Chinook Jargon stick (“tree, forest”), from English stick.

Sources

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