Playbooks

Bench X Dig

Shotgun·Deuce Close·12

Dig Pass Play Bench

Play diagram for Bench X Dig from Shotgun Deuce Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetDeuce Close

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

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Breakdown

Bench X Dig comes out of Shotgun Deuce Close with 12 personnel and shows a two man high release concept up top. The backside receiver runs a deep bench route breaking hard to the sideline while the frontside outside receiver clears vertically before working over the top, and the inside receiver next to him runs the X Dig, sitting down and crossing hard underneath the linebackers. The remaining receiver stems out into a shallow flat/dig cross that sits underneath everything. This is a man beater first, since the dig creates immediate separation off any trail technique, but it also has zone beater traits because the dig settles into the soft spot between the hook defenders. Primary read progression starts with the X Dig working across the middle, then works to the bench route on the backside if the middle is clogged, with the flat route serving as a checkdown against blitz pressure.

Defensive Reads

Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, since a shallow drop means the dig route will not have room to sit and you need to speed up your throw. Check for two high safeties pre-snap, this play thrives against split safety shells because the dig crosses into the void before the safety can rotate down. Against man coverage with a single high safety, expect the dig to win quickly off any inside leverage from the defender, so time your throw to hit it on the break. Look for a user controlled defender sitting in the hook to lurk zone, since that is the primary threat to the dig read and will bait an interception if you force it. If the defense shows blitz with the linebackers crashing downhill, get the ball out to the flat route quickly as your answer against the pressure.

Usage Tips

Use this play on second and medium to second and long when defenses start leaning on zone drops to protect against explosive shots. Pre-snap, identify if the defense is in a two high shell, since the dig has a clean throwing lane against split safety looks. Against man coverage, hot route the dig receiver into a quicker slant tempo if you see press alignment to speed up the break. Pair this play with Bench Swap and Bench Dig Curl in the same set so the defense cannot key on the dig concept from formation alone. If you see linebackers sitting heavy in the shallow zone, work through to the bench route on the backside since it clears the traffic the dig runs into. Use motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into showing blitz before the snap so you know whether the flat route becomes your emergency valve.