Playbooks
Mtn Dig Under is a man beating dig concept out of Shotgun Dbls Flex Y Off Close that uses pre-snap motion to help identify man versus zone before the ball is even snapped. The core route combo pairs a hard breaking dig running underneath a clear out route with an under route sitting beneath the dig to give the quarterback a high low read against linebackers. The primary read progression starts with the motion man to confirm coverage, then works to the dig as the first read against man or off zone, and checks down to the under route working underneath if the middle of the field is clogged.
Watch the linebacker assigned to shadow the motion man, if he mirrors across the formation you are almost certainly facing man coverage and the dig should win versus a slower defender. Check safety depth and width before the snap, single high shells with the free safety sitting in the middle of the field can rob the dig late so be ready to climb the progression to the under route. Post snap, key the middle linebacker's drop, a fast downhill blitz key or a delayed blitz off the edge means you need to get the ball out on time before pressure collapses the pocket. Cover 3 zone drops with a hard flat defender sinking under the dig will make this route tighter, look for the under route as your zone beater answer in that scenario. User controlled defenders who jump the underneath route or spy the quarterback are a sign to trust the dig throw over the top, since that usually leaves the deeper route uncovered.
Use the pre-snap motion to bait linebackers and safeties into showing man coverage before you even snap the ball, since a defender following the motion man across the formation is a dead giveaway for man to man.
Hot route the under route into a spot or curl against zone heavy defenses to give yourself a reliable underneath answer if the dig window closes late.
This play thrives on second and medium to second and long or third and medium situations where linebackers have to respect both the dig and the underneath crosser.
Pair this call with Mtn Dagger Y In earlier in a series so defenders start biting on shorter underneath routes, then hit the dig for a bigger chunk play once they overplay the quick game.
If you see two deep safeties presnap, work the dig quickly before the flat defender can sink and undercut the route, since Tampa 2 and other split safety shells can rob this throw if you hold it too long.