Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA X Dig out of I Form Pro (21 personnel) shows a play-action fake to hold the linebackers before the QB works the pass concept. The X receiver runs the namesake dig, breaking hard across the middle of the field on an intermediate crosser, while the slot/TE runs an out route breaking toward the sideline underneath the dig. On the backside, the far outside receiver runs a vertical clearout up the numbers to occupy the deep half and pull coverage away from the dig window. This is a play-action man beater designed to exploit linebackers who bite on the run fake, with the primary read progression starting on the dig as it crosses the field, then working down to the underneath out route if the middle is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth: a single high safety indicates man coverage underneath, which is exactly what the dig is designed to exploit against linebackers in man. Watch linebacker depth and run fits before the snap; linebackers stacked tight to the line are more susceptible to the play-action fake and will open the dig window. Post-snap, key any user-controlled defender flowing to the flat or shooting a lurk into the shallow crosser area, since that defender can undercut the dig if he reads through the play-action. Two deep safeties (Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells) will squeeze the dig throwing lane, so expect the underneath out route to be the more available answer against those shells. Zone defenses with linebackers dropping into intermediate hook zones can sit on the dig route, so recognize sim pressure or zone drops quickly after the fake to avoid a costly turnover.
Usage Tips
Sell the play-action fake by holding the ball on the mesh point momentarily since linebackers respecting the run will open passing lanes for the dig.
Use this on early downs (1st or 2nd and short to medium) when defenses are more likely to load the box or bite on the run action.
If you see two deep safeties pre-snap, expect the dig window to be tighter, so be ready to hot route the out route into a quicker breaking option or check down to the underneath route.
Pair this call with HB Stretch Alert X Lookie or 26 Duo Alert X Lookie earlier in a series so the defense keys run action and bites harder on the fake when you come back to PA X Dig.
Against aggressive user blitzers flowing hard downhill on the play fake, look immediately to the dig since the middle of the field will be vacated.
