Playbooks
Breakdown
Corner Out Dig is a five man route concept out of Shotgun Bunch that stacks three routes on the bunch side while isolating a wheel route to the backside. The bunch releases a corner route from the inside receiver, a deep dig from the middle bunch receiver that breaks hard across the field, and an out route from the outside bunch receiver, while the lone backside receiver runs a wheel that stretches the sideline vertically. This is a man beater at its core, using the corner and dig combo to create natural picks and separation against man coverage while the wheel punishes any linebacker or safety who tries to carry it in man. Primary progression starts with the dig if the defense rotates to take away the corner, then works to the corner route, and comes back to the backside wheel as the outlet against blown coverage or busted man assignments.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 1 with a deep half or deep third safety shell, since the corner route can be taken away by a sinking cornerback or safety rotating over the top. Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, because a linebacker who sits shallow will surrender the dig route crossing behind him, while a linebacker who drops deep will squeeze the window for the corner throw. Key the flow of the strong side safety toward the bunch formation, since aggressive rotation to the trips side leaves the backside wheel one on one against a linebacker or nickel defender who cannot match speed vertically. Man coverage with no safety help over the bunch is the biggest green light for this play, as natural picks from the stacked releases will spring the dig or corner open against tight man defenders. Cover 4 or quarters shells with disciplined corners sinking on the corner route and a hook defender staying square on the dig are the best answers, since both intermediate routes get squeezed and force a checkdown or throwaway.
Usage Tips
Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap like tight press alignment on the bunch or a single high safety before snapping this play, since the corner and dig combo thrives against man matchups.
If you see two high safeties, prioritize the dig route since it settles in the void between zone defenders and gives you a reliable underneath to intermediate throw.
Use the backside wheel as a homerun shot against teams that blitz aggressively or rely on linebackers to cover out of the backfield, since a linebacker rarely has the speed to stay on top of it.
Pair this play with Bunch Sail or Bunch Verts in your call sheet so the defense cannot sit on the dig or corner concept, forcing them to respect vertical shots from the same formation.
Best used on second and medium to second and long situations where you have time to work through the full progression from dig to corner to wheel without being rushed off your first read.
