Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Out X Dig lines up in Empty Chips Tight with five receivers spread wide and no running back in the backfield, giving the quarterback a clean pre-snap picture of the coverage shell. Both outside receivers run quick outs to the flat while the two inside slot receivers work vertical to intermediate breaking routes, one running a deep dig across the middle and the other a corner route from the opposite slot, with a third receiver settling on a shorter out underneath. This is a man beater built around the dig sitting down in the void behind linebackers and in front of safeties, with the outs occupying the flat defenders and the corner route stretching the deep third, so the primary read progression starts with the dig working across the field before checking down to the underneath out routes.
Defensive Reads
Check middle of field safety alignment before the snap, since a single high safety opens up the dig and corner combo while two high safeties can squeeze the throwing window. Watch the flat defenders on the outs, if they sink too deep the dig sits in a wide open zone pocket for an easy pitch and catch. Identify if linebackers are dropping to a hook zone or blitzing, since a blitz leaves the dig route uncovered with no underneath defender to jump the route. Look for cornerbacks pressing at the line, which signals man coverage and tells the quarterback to trust the out routes breaking away from press technique. Beware of a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle zone, since that defender can undercut the dig route if the quarterback stares it down too long.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the second level to confirm if linebackers are shading toward the dig route before the snap.
Attack single high safety looks since the corner route and dig combo stretch the field vertically and horizontally at the same time.
Hot route the backside out to a speed out or hitch if you see the corner rolling down into the flat to take away the boundary throw.
Best called on second and medium to third and long situations where the dig route has room to sit down between levels of the defense.
Pair this play with Dagger or Deep Post Out from the same set to keep defenses guessing between vertical shots and intermediate crossers off similar formation looks.
