Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Dig Return runs out of the Bunch Open TE look with a pre-snap motion piece from the bunch that resets alignment before the snap. Post-snap, the deep bunch receiver breaks vertical then plants into a dig route sitting across the middle (the red route), while the two receivers on the opposite side stack a double out combo attacking the flat and intermediate sideline. The primary read progression starts with the dig sitting down against zone or working across the field against man, then works to the flat/out combo on the boundary as the checkdown or leverage throw versus a rolled up corner. This is a zone beater at heart, using the dig to sit in the soft spot of Cover 3 or Cover 2 zones while the out routes give you a quick man beater option if defenders trail the release.
Defensive Reads
Watch the middle linebacker depth pre-snap, if he is sitting shallow he can jump the dig route and undercut the throw, forcing you to the flat combo instead. Key the safety rotation after the snap, single high shells leave the dig window open while two high shells with the safeties staying deep can squeeze the throwing lane. User-controlled defenders lurking in the shallow middle zone are the biggest threat to this concept, if you see a defender sitting and reading quarterback eyes, hold the ball and look to the flat side. Cover 3 and Cover 4 zone shells give up the most room for the dig to sit and settle, while press man coverage with underneath help can disrupt the timing before the route crosses the field. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can collapse the pocket before the dig fully breaks, so identify pre-snap blitz alignment and be ready to check down to the flat route quickly.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows across the formation you know you are getting man coverage and can prioritize the dig route sooner in your progression.
Against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, let the dig fully develop and sit in the honey hole between the linebackers and the deep safety before pulling the trigger.
Hot route the flat route receiver deeper into a corner route if you diagnose Cover 2 pre-snap, this stresses the deep quarter and gives you a big play option over the top.
Pair this play with Z Spot or Mtn Sprint Z Spot in your play-calling sequence, both hit similar areas of the field with different timing, which keeps zone defenders guessing on where to sit their drops.
Best called on second or third and medium, the dig needs time to develop so avoid short-yardage situations where a blitz can disrupt the timing before the route breaks.
