Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Levels Dig out of Shotgun Bunch Spread stacks two in routes at different depths from the bunch, with the outside receiver working a deep dig across the middle while the two bunch receivers run a shallow crosser and a comeback to the sideline. The backside X runs a deep crossing dig that clears the middle read behind the levels concept, and the RB releases to the flat as a checkdown and screen outlet. This is a man beater that also stresses cover 2 and cover 3 zone defenders by stacking horizontal reads at three distinct levels, forcing linebackers and safeties to pick a route to cover while the QB works high to low from the deep dig down to the shallow crosser.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a single high safety cheating toward the bunch side, that usually signals man coverage or a robber concept designed to jump the dig route. If the corner over the bunch aligns tight and inside, expect man coverage or a bail technique that opens up the shallow crosser working underneath. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker's drop, if he sits shallow to wall off the crosser the deep dig window against zone opens up behind him. Look for late-rotating safeties, a cover 2 shell that rotates to cover 3 after the snap can disguise the deep dig throw and bait an interception if the QB does not process it fast enough. Nano blitzes off the edge with a spy on the RB neutralize the checkdown option, so be ready to sidestep pressure and reset the level of the throw if the initial rush wins quickly.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check for a single high safety versus two high shells since this concept punishes cover 2 and cover 3 zone defenses by overloading the intermediate and shallow windows on one side.
Use motion or a hot route on the RB to check for man coverage, if a linebacker follows him out of the backfield you know you are seeing man and can lean on the deep dig versus a linebacker in coverage.
Progression read starts with the deep dig against zone drops, moves to the shallow crosser underneath if linebackers sink too deep, and finishes with the comeback route or RB checkdown against a hard blitz.
This play pairs well with Mtn Y-Shake and Cheat Slot Cross in the same set since both attack similar bunch alignments but stress different levels, keeping defenders guessing between man and zone drops.
Best called on second or third and medium since the dig needs time to develop, so protect the QB with max protect hot routes if you see extra rushers walked up pre-snap.
