Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Corner Out Dig is a bunch-based route concept out of Shotgun Bunch Offset that stacks three distinct route depths on the play side while the backside receiver runs an under route across the field. The bunch receiver on the line breaks vertically before snapping off into a corner route toward the sideline, the inside bunch receiver runs a dig across the middle, and the third bunch receiver clears out on an out route to the flat, while the lone receiver to the backside runs a shallow crossing route underneath. This is a man beater concept that uses natural rub traffic from the tight bunch alignment to create separation, with the dig as the primary read against zone drops and the corner route serving as the vertical shot beater versus man coverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and count defenders in the box since a two high shell invites the dig read while a single high safety tips you toward the corner route as the higher upside throw. Watch the flat defender and outside corner leverage on the bunch side, if they crash down on the out route or get rubbed off by traffic, the corner route behind them is wide open. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker or nickel defender responsible for the dig lane, if he sinks too deep or widens with the corner route the dig window opens immediately. User-controlled defenders lurking in the shallow crosser lane can jump the backside route, so feel that user key before committing to the checkdown. This concept struggles against tight man coverage with underneath help or a robber defender sitting in the dig lane, so if you see Cover 4 or Cover 6 with a defender clearly assigned to rob the middle read, work the corner route or move on to a different concept in the set.
Usage Tips
Look for single high safety shells before the snap since the corner route wins big against Cover 1 and Cover 3 when the flat defender bites on the out route. Progression should start with the dig sitting down in the void behind linebackers and in front of safeties, then climb to the corner route if you see a corner sitting on the out or getting picked off by the bunch traffic. Use the backside shallow crosser as a checkdown versus heavy blitz looks or when the middle of the field is clogged by a robber or spy. This play pairs well with Curl Flat or Z Spot from the same set to give the defense a similar bunch look before hitting them with the vertical shot on the corner route. Best called on second and medium to third and long when you need a chunk gain and want to attack both underneath zones and deep man coverage with one concept.
