Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Speed Dig Out is a bunch-formation pass concept out of Shotgun Bunch Y-Flex that attacks the middle and boundary of the field with three distinct routes. The outside receiver runs a vertical stem up the sideline, the middle bunch receiver breaks off into a deep dig cutting across the field, and the inside bunch receiver runs a speed out toward the sideline after a quick release. This concept is designed as a man beater, using the bunch alignment to create natural picks and rubs at the line, with the primary read progression starting on the dig route working across the middle before checking down to the speed out underneath.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell, since Cover 3 and Cover 1 leave the dig route vulnerable if the flow linebacker overruns the play action fake. Watch the slot defender in the bunch alignment: if he widens out to cover the speed out immediately at the snap, that confirms man coverage and opens up the dig behind him. Key the middle linebacker's drop, if he sinks too deep on the dig read the underneath speed out will be wide open in the void. Zone defenses with a hard flat defender jumping the speed out route are vulnerable to the vertical route stemming up the numbers, so track the deep half safety rotation. Be wary of user-controlled defenders lurking the dig lane, a smart defender sitting in the intermediate middle zone can jump this route and turn it into a pick six if the quarterback stares down the primary read too long.
Usage Tips
Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap such as cornerbacks lined up tight on the bunch receivers with no visible flat defender cheating outside. If you see press man or a single high safety, trust the dig route to sit down in the window created by the rub from the bunch release. Hot route the vertical outside receiver into a comeback against soft zone shells if the corner is sitting back at ten yards or more. Use this play on second and medium to third and medium situations since the dig needs time to develop and the sticks are usually inside the out route depth. Pair this with HB Choice or RPO Alert Out from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick game and the deeper dig shot, forcing linebackers to respect both the run fit and the crossing route.
