Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Corner Out Dig is a trips-side progression concept out of Bunch X Nasty in Pistol that combines a corner route, a dig, an out, and a checkdown swing to create a full-field stretch. Off the bunch alignment, the outside receiver runs a corner route to clear the deep third, the inside receiver breaks a dig across the middle behind the linebackers, and the third bunch receiver works an out route to the flat/sideline. The running back releases on a swing route out of the backfield away from the bunch, giving the quarterback a built-in outlet against blitzes. This is a man beater at its core thanks to the natural rub created by the bunch alignment, but the dig sitting down in the void also gives it zone beater qualities against Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells. Primary progression is corner to dig to out, with the HB swing as the checkdown if the pocket collapses or the underneath defenders sink too deep.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense shows a single high safety or two high shell, since Cover 1 and Cover 3 are more vulnerable to the corner route clearing out the deep third. Watch the cornerback aligned over the bunch, if he is playing tight man he will likely get rerouted or picked off the natural rub, opening the dig or corner immediately. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker's drop, if he sinks too deep to cover the dig, the throwing window opens up quickly for the quarterback. User-controlled defenders sitting in the dig window or lurking underneath can jump the route and cause a turnover, so quarterbacks should look off defenders before committing to that throw. Cover 4 or Cover 6 shells with disciplined zone drops can shut this play down since the corner route gets bracketed and the dig has to fit into a tighter window between two levels of defenders.
Usage Tips
Look for single high safety shells pre-snap since the corner route can attack Cover 1 and Cover 3 cornerbacks who have to fight through the bunch traffic.
If you see man coverage across the bunch, trust the natural pick and go to the corner or dig early since defenders will get hung up on the initial release.
Against zone shells, hold the ball a beat longer and let the dig settle into the throwing lane between the second level defenders before delivering the pass.
Use the HB swing as a built-in answer to disguised blitzes, especially in obvious passing downs where defenses bring extra pressure off the edge.
Pair this play with HB Zone or HB Counter earlier in a series to get defenses to sell out on the run, then come back to Corner Out Dig to attack overaggressive linebackers biting on run fits.
