Playbooks

Dig Return

Shotgun·Bunch Y-Flex·11
DigMotionPass Play
Play diagram for Dig Return from Shotgun Bunch Y-Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

Dig Return is a full-field flood concept out of Bunch Y-Flex that uses a return motion man to create a natural pick and confuse man coverage assignments. Pre-snap the bunch receiver on the right motions across the formation, and off the snap the outside receiver from that bunch runs a deep dig that returns back across the middle of the field while the two remaining bunch receivers work a corner route and a flat route to hold the flat defender. On the backside, the lone receiver runs a deep comeback up the sideline while the other route breaks flat off the same stem, giving you a true flood read on that side. The primary progression starts with the deep dig coming back across the field, then works to the corner route in the bunch, and finally to the backside comeback if the middle of the field is clogged.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap identify the safety shell, two deep safeties suggest cover 2 or cover 4 which leaves the dig vulnerable if the linebackers do not carry it deep enough. Watch the flat defender on the bunch side, if he widens with the flat route it opens a throwing lane for the corner route sitting behind him. Key the middle linebacker or mike after the snap, a hard drop into the deep middle can take away the dig and force you to the backside comeback. Man coverage teams get exposed by the bunch alignment since the traffic makes it difficult for defenders to trail their assignments through the return motion, look for rub effects near the line of scrimmage. This play struggles against disciplined cover 3 sink and match zones where the deep third defender stays over the top of the dig, in that case rely on the backside comeback or check down to the flat route.

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 know you are getting man coverage and the dig will have natural rub help from the bunch traffic.

Against zone coverage look to hit the deep dig as it settles into the void between the hook and deep zone defenders, this route is designed to sit down in soft spots created by cover 3 or cover 4 shells.

Hot route the backside comeback into a fade or hitch if you see press man on that isolated receiver, this gives you a quick answer without needing the full developing dig.

Pair this play with Curls Y Swirl or Z Shallow Cross earlier in a series so the defense starts keying on shallow crossers, then hit them with the deep dig return for an explosive play once linebackers start jumping short routes.

Best used on second or third and long when you need a chunk play, the flood side gives you a checkdown to the flat if the dig and corner are both taken away.

Other Plays in Bunch Y-Flex