Playbooks
Quick Reference
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Breakdown
PA Dig out of Shotgun Normal Flex Wing shows a play-action fake to hold the linebackers before releasing three routes into the pattern. The inside receiver runs the namesake dig, sitting down after crossing the field on a hard in-cut over the middle at intermediate depth, while both outside receivers push vertical up the seams and sidelines to stretch the defense deep. This is a play-action pass designed to punish zone defenses that bite on the run fake, with the dig sitting in the void left by linebackers flowing to the play side and the two verticals occupying safeties. The primary read progression starts with the dig, since it is the built-in conversion route off the play fake, and progresses to the field-side vertical if the middle of the field opens up post-snap.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment, since a single-high safety cheating toward the box signals the defense is vulnerable to the vertical shots on the outside. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake they will vacate the throwing window for the dig route right behind them. Post-snap, key any user-controlled defender flashing toward the middle of the field, a lurking linebacker or safety sitting on the dig can jump the route and create a turnover. This play struggles against two-high shells like Cover 2 or Cover 4 that keep safeties deep and undisturbed by the play-action fake, since the dig has to work through a crowded underneath zone. Man coverage with a deep safety in the middle (Cover 1) is risky as well, look for the rat linebacker spying the dig before committing to the throw.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs or second and medium when defenses are more willing to bite on the run fake and commit to the box.
Check pre-snap for two-high shells versus single-high looks, since single-high safeties are more likely to be drawn in by the play-action, opening the dig for an easy conversion.
If you see man coverage with no help over the middle, hot route the dig into a shallow drag or speed up the break to beat off-ball linebackers before they can wall off the crosser.
Pair this call with HB Power or HB Dive from the same set to sell the run fake convincingly and keep the linebackers honest before dialing up PA Dig later in the series.
Use Slot Cross or Drive from this set on the follow-up play call to attack the same underneath zone from a different angle once the defense starts jumping the dig.
