Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Dig from Shotgun Bunch Offset uses play-action to hold the second level before attacking the middle of the field with a deep dig. Off the bunch alignment, the outside receiver runs a deep corner route while the middle bunch receiver breaks inside on the dig, and the third bunch receiver releases into the flat on a short out. The backside receiver runs a quick out at the sticks, giving a full-field flood look built to stress zone defenders and beat man coverage with the dig sitting down in soft spots. The primary read starts with the dig coming across the middle, then works to the corner route if the underneath defenders squeeze the throwing lane, with the flat route serving as the checkdown against a hard blitz.
Defensive Reads
Key the play-side linebacker depth at the snap; if he sits and reads run action, the dig window closes fast, so bail out to the corner route. Watch for a user-controlled defender sitting in the middle hook zone (lurk technique), since that is exactly where the dig wants to settle. Cover 3 with a hard-flowing Mike linebacker to the run fake is the biggest threat to this play, jumping the dig route. Two-high shells (Cover 2 or Cover 4) that keep safeties deep force you to rely on the underneath flat and out routes instead of the dig. Post-snap, track the flat defender; if he widens with the flat route, the backside out route working behind him becomes the answer versus zone drops.
Usage Tips
Sell the play-action fake with a full ball fake before the drop to freeze linebackers and open the throwing window for the dig.
Use this on early downs (1st or 2nd and medium) when defenses are more likely to bite on run action out of Bunch Offset personnel.
Pre-snap, identify single-high versus two-high shells; single-high safeties leave the dig window wide open behind the linebackers.
Hot route the backside out to a quick slant if you diagnose a corner blitz off that side, since the out route timing can get disrupted.
Pair this with HB Draw or Outside Zone from the same set to keep defenses honest on the run fake, then hit them with PA Dig once they start crashing downhill.
