Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
X Dagger out of Shotgun Doubles Y Off Nasty is a classic dagger concept designed to attack the deep middle and intermediate zones with a two level clear out on one side and a bracket read on the other. The diagram shows the outside receiver running a deep vertical clear out while the inside slot runs the dagger dig underneath it, sitting right in the void between levels. On the other side the tight end runs a corner route off a quick pivot and the running back releases into a shallow drag heading all the way across the field, giving you a checkdown and a coverage clear route. The primary read starts with the deep vertical to see how the safety reacts, then progresses to the dig sitting underneath, and finally works down to the shallow drag as the outlet against pressure or if both levels are covered.
Defensive Reads
Identify the safety alignment before the snap, if you see two high safeties this play is designed to split them with the vertical and dig combination. Watch the middle linebacker depth and drop, a shallow zone drop from the mike means he can jump the dig route so be ready to check to the drag underneath. Against Cover 3 the deep vertical should hold the free safety in the middle of the field, creating the window for the dig to work, if the safety sits and does not respect the vertical this play gets shut down quickly. Man coverage with no help over the top is the best matchup for this concept since the clear out forces the defender to run with the vertical threat rather than sit on the dig. Watch for a user controlled linebacker sitting in the passing lane or spying the middle of the field, that lurk threat can bait a turnover if the quarterback stares down the dig too long.
Usage Tips
Look for two high safety shells pre-snap since this concept is built to punish Cover 2 and Cover 3 by using the vertical to hold the safety while the dig settles into the vacated middle zone. Against man coverage the vertical clear out drags the corner or safety deep, opening a big throwing lane for the dig if your slot receiver wins inside leverage. Use the shallow drag from the running back as a built in answer to the blitz, it is a quick access throw that punishes teams trying to bring extra pressure. This play works best on second and medium to second and long or third and medium situations where you have room to let the dig develop. Pair X Dagger with Double Post from this set to keep defenses honest on two high shells, then mix in Cross Y Trail when they start jumping the dig route with linebackers.
