Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Corner Dig runs a play-action fake out of Pistol with 12 personnel to hold the linebackers before attacking three levels of the field. The outside receiver breaks off a corner route to stretch the deep third, the inside slot runs a deep dig across the middle, and the third route works a shallow crosser underneath to the opposite flat. This is a play-action route concept designed as a zone beater, using the dig to sit down in soft spots between linebackers and safeties while the corner route occupies the deep defender, with the underneath crosser serving as the checkdown against zone drops. The primary read progression starts with the dig over the middle, then works out to the corner route if a single high safety cheats over the top, and finishes with the shallow crosser as the outlet if the underneath zones are clogged.
Defensive Reads
Key the strong safety and free safety depth before the snap, since a two high shell signals the defense is prepared to take away the corner route. Watch for a linebacker sinking into the passing lane of the dig route, which indicates a Tampa 2 or a robber concept designed to jump the middle read. Identify man coverage by checking if defenders align tight to the receivers with no cushion, since man coverage lets the dig separate quickly against trailing defenders. Look for a user-controlled defender flashing into the shallow crosser lane, which usually means the CPU or opposing user is baiting the checkdown throw. This play struggles against disciplined zone drops with a deep half safety over the corner route and an underneath linebacker spying the dig, so be ready to check down early if those keys appear.
Usage Tips
Sell the play-action fake with a full stick of the analog stick before releasing into your read progression to keep second level defenders honest.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap: a single high safety opens up the corner route, while two deep safeties mean you should prioritize the dig sitting between the hashes.
Use the shallow crosser as your dump off against pressure or when you see man coverage rotate late, since it gives you a built-in answer to blitzes.
Pair this play with Dash Flood or PA Boot in your play-calling sequence to keep defenders guessing between boot action and static pocket play-action off the same formation.
Best called on second or third and medium situations where defenses are more likely to sit in zone shells and bite on the run fake.
