Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Choice Shallow Dig lines up out of Shotgun Bunch Y-Flex with a bunch alignment to one side and a single receiver split away. From the bunch, one receiver runs a deep corner/vertical release up the numbers while another works an option route out of the backfield area that breaks outward into a dig-like out. The inside bunch receiver runs a shallow crawl underneath across the formation, and the backside single receiver runs a deep comeback/curl up the sideline, with the backfield outlet running a wheel route up the boundary. This is a man beater built on high low and levels concepts: the shallow crawl clears underneath for the option route to settle into the void, while the vertical and wheel routes stress cornerbacks who bail late or get picked off by traffic in the bunch release. Primary progression starts with the shallow crawl underneath to hold linebackers, then works to the option route breaking outside, and finally to the deep comeback or wheel if the defense sells out on the short and intermediate routes.
Defensive Reads
Watch the slot or overhang defender aligned over the bunch pre-snap, since his depth and leverage tell you if he is sitting on the shallow crawl or option route. If linebackers walk up and show blitz, the shallow crawl becomes a hot route outlet that beats pressure before the wheel route can develop. Against zone coverage look for the flat defender and hook defender: if they widen with the option route, the shallow crawl sits in the vacated middle window. A user controlled safety sitting deep in the middle can rob the deep comeback and wheel route, so check the far hash safety alignment before committing to those deeper reads. Cornerbacks playing off coverage on the backside tend to squat on the comeback route, so if the corner shows outside leverage, look to the wheel route for a matchup against a linebacker in coverage instead.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second and medium to second and long when you expect man coverage from the bunch look, since the crossing traffic naturally creates picks against man defenders. Check the option route pre-snap: against off man have it break outside like a speed out, against press or bail coverage let it settle for the sit read. If the safety shows two high pre-snap, key on the shallow crawl and option route since the middle of the field is more open underneath. Pair this play with HB Choice or Curls Y Swirl earlier in a series so the defense respects the shallow crawl and out breaking routes, then hit the wheel route or deep comeback here once the underneath defenders start jumping routes. Motion the single receiver pre-snap to confirm man versus zone before the snap, since a defender following the motion confirms man and tells you to prioritize the option route matchup.
