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Breakdown
Dagger X-Go out of Shotgun Bunch Spread lines up three receivers tight to the formation with a lone receiver split wide to the backside. From the bunch, one receiver runs a vertical go route up the numbers, the middle receiver runs a deep dig that sits behind linebackers and in front of safeties, and the third receiver runs a short out to clear the underneath flat. The backside receiver runs a deep go up the sideline, and the play uses standard pass protection to give the QB time to work the dig as the primary read against the go route clearing out coverage on top. This is a Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater built to attack the seam and hole shot created by the go routes.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the safeties are showing two high or rotating to single high, since this route combo is designed to exploit both Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells. Key the flow of the linebackers after the snap, since a hard drop from the middle linebacker into the dig lane can jump the primary read and cause a turnover. Watch for a user controlled safety sitting on the dig route, since that lurk threat is the biggest risk to this concept over the middle of the field. If the corners squat on the go routes instead of playing deep, that signals man coverage or a Cover 4 look, and the QB should be ready to check down or extend the play. Disguised blitzes with late linebacker pressure can force the QB off his first read, so watch protection at the snap to see if extra rushers are coming off the edge.
Usage Tips
Look for two deep safeties or a single high safety pre-snap to confirm this is a good matchup for the dig route sitting behind linebackers.
Use the vertical go routes on both sides to hold corners and safeties deep, opening the window for the dig to work underneath the coverage shell.
Hot route the flat out receiver into a quick option or drag if you see man coverage to give yourself a faster underneath outlet against blitzes.
Pair this play with Mtn Slot Under or Cheat Slot Cross in the same set to keep defenses guessing between quick game and the deeper dig shot.
Best called on second or third and medium to long when you need a chunk gain over the middle against zone heavy defenses.
