Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Y-Stick Dig is a five man route concept out of Shotgun Normal Y Off Close that combines a stick concept to the closed side with a deep dig from the backside. The two receivers to the left run a crossing shallow out and a deeper flat/corner combo, the outside receiver in the middle of the formation runs a stick to the flat area, and the backside X receiver runs a deep dig across the field while the RB releases into a check release flat route. Blocking is a standard five man protection with the RB scanning for pressure before releasing, and the primary read progression starts with the stick flat route, then works to the underneath crossers, and finally to the deep dig if the middle of the field opens up.
Defensive Reads
Identify the depth of the middle linebacker pre-snap since a shallow drop from him signals he can jump the stick or shallow crosser and take away your first read. Watch the flat defender's leverage at the snap, if he sinks with the stick route it opens the crossing route behind him for an easy pitch and catch. Key the safety rotation post-snap, a two high shell that rotates to one high late is a sign of Cover 3 which leaves the dig route as the highest value target. Man coverage with no deep safety help over the dig route is the biggest tell that this play will produce a big gain, since the crosser will lose the defender in the traffic near the middle of the formation. Beware of a robber or lurk defender sitting in the shallow middle zone since this play can be shut down by a defender who reads the quarterback's eyes and jumps the crossing route or the dig route in real time.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hot route check on the RB to confirm if the defense is bringing extra pressure before locking into your progression.
This play excels on third and medium to long because the dig route provides a natural sit down window against zone drops.
Against man coverage, prioritize the stick flat since it creates immediate separation off the leverage of the flat defender.
Pair this call with RPO Zone Stick or RPO Peek Stick from the same set to keep the defense honest on the same route concept with a run element mixed in.
If you see a Cover 3 shell pre-snap, key the dig route as your primary since it sits in the natural void behind the underneath zone and in front of the deep third defender.
