Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Dig Return runs out of Shotgun Bunch Spread with a pre-snap motion out of the bunch that resets the formation before the snap. Post-snap, the outside receiver from the bunch pushes vertical up the seam while the two remaining bunch receivers work an in-breaking dig (red route) and a shallow crosser that returns back to the flat, creating a natural high-low and horizontal stretch on the same side of the field. This is a man beater at its core since the return route and dig cross the formation and create natural rub traffic against man defenders, though the dig also settles into soft spots against zone if the flat defender bites on the crosser. Primary read progression starts with the dig sitting down over the middle, then works to the return route working back underneath, with the vertical seam route as the boundary read against single-high shells.
Defensive Reads
Read the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sits shallow and stays central he can undercut the dig route so look to the return route working back to the flat instead. Watch the flat defender on the bunch side, if he widens to the vertical seam route the underneath return route will have a clean throwing lane. Man coverage with no safety help over the top gets exposed by the natural rub created between the bunch releases, so check for press man or trail technique on the outside corner before the snap. Cover 3 zone with a hard-flowing sam linebacker can squeeze the dig throwing window, so identify three deep defenders shading to the same side pre-snap as a signal to check into the return route instead. User-controlled lurk defenders sitting in the intermediate middle zone are the biggest threat to this concept, watch for a defender spying the dig lane after the snap and be ready to hold the ball for the crosser to clear underneath.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows the motion man across the formation you have a green light to attack with the dig and return combo. Hot route the shallow return receiver into a deeper drag against zone heavy defenses like Tampa 2 or Cover 3 to get more separation before he settles into the void. This play excels on second and medium to long third down since the dig needs time to develop and the quarterback needs a clean pocket to step into the throw. Pair this play in sequence with Cheat Slot Cross or Mtn Slot Cross looks from the same Bunch Spread set so the defense sees similar bunch releases and cannot key on the dig concept specifically. Against aggressive user blitzers, consider a quick game check down to the return route since it develops fastest and gives the quarterback a hot outlet versus overload pressure.
