Playbooks
Quick Reference
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Breakdown
X Dagger out of Shotgun Flex Y Off pairs a deep dig from the X receiver with a clearing vertical from the inline TE, while the slot receiver runs a shallow drag underneath and the backside receiver works a deep comeback. The HB releases into a check release flat route out of the backfield for a built in outlet, giving the quarterback a true dagger concept (vertical clear out plus a dig sitting behind it) as the primary read against off coverage. Progression starts with the dig coming across the middle, moves to the HB flat if linebackers sink into the dig window, and ends with the backside comeback as the alert versus press or Cover 3 rotation.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two high safeties or has rotated to a single high look, since Cover 2 and Cover 3 are the primary coverages this dig and clear out combo is designed to beat. Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sinks too fast into the dig window the quarterback will check down to the HB flat, so user controlled defenders should stay disciplined and not overcommit. Man coverage on the X receiver combined with a deep half safety can take away the dig entirely, since the clear out route has less room to work against tight man technique. A blitz that removes the deep safety help, such as a Cover 0 or a two man rush with a lurking linebacker, can beat this concept by getting pressure before the dig sits down, so time your blitz to arrive before the route fully develops. If the defense sees the TE clearing vertically and the X breaking in, a smart zone drop from a deep third defender can rob the dig throw, forcing the quarterback to the backside comeback alert.
Usage Tips
Snap the ball once you confirm two deep safeties or a single high safety cheating to the dig side, since the vertical clear out only works if there is a defender to occupy that safety.
Hot route the HB flat to a wide flat or check the RB into a pass protection assignment if you are facing a heavy blitz look, since the dagger concept needs time to develop for the dig to sit down.
Use this play on second and medium or third and long when you need a chunk gain over the middle, and pair it with Curl Ohio or Four Verticals from the same set to keep defenses honest against both shallow and deep shell coverages.
Against zone defenders like Tampa 2 or Cover 3, throw the dig with anticipation before the middle linebacker can drop underneath and undercut the route.
Mix in RPO Alert HB Zone or RPO HB Zone Alert from this same personnel grouping to disguise your run and pass tendencies before calling X Dagger so linebackers cannot sit on the middle of the field.
