Playbooks
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
Mtn Dig Under lines up out of Shotgun Doubles Flex Y Off Close with a receiver motioning across the formation pre-snap. At the snap, the backside X runs a deep vertical to stretch the safety, while the slot receiver breaks a hard dig across the middle at intermediate depth. Underneath, the TE releases into a flat/under route and the motion back runs a shallow crosser, giving the quarterback a layered three level read from deep shot to dig to underneath checkdown, making this a versatile man and zone beater depending on the leverage of the linebackers and safeties.
Defensive Reads
Key the flow of the linebackers after the motion: if they widen out to cover the shallow crosser, the middle of the field opens for the dig route. Watch for a deep safety rotating over the top of the vertical route, since that tells you the defense is playing some form of two high shell and the dig will have a clean window. Identify any user controlled defender sitting in the intermediate middle zone (a lurk threat), as this play's dig route is vulnerable to a linebacker or safety sitting in that exact area. Look for blitz packages off the edge, since the underhand and flat route become critical hot route outlets against pressure looks. If the cornerback follows the vertical route man to man with no safety help, expect single high man coverage and prioritize the deep shot before working down to the dig.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone: if the defender follows the motion man across the formation, you are looking at man coverage and the dig should win against most linebackers.
Against single high safety looks, prioritize the deep vertical route on the backside to hold the safety and open up the dig behind the linebackers.
Against two high shells, work the dig as your primary read since the underneath zone defenders will have to respect the crossing shallow route first.
Hot route the flat/under route to a quick out if you see a corner blitz off the edge, giving your quarterback a fast release valve.
Pair this play with Mtn Dagger Y In or Mtn Slot Post in your play calling sequence to keep defenders guessing between deep dig concepts and post shots off similar formation motion.
