Playbooks

Y-Stick Dig

Shotgun·Normal Y Off Close·11
DigStickStick ConceptPass Play
Play diagram for Y-Stick Dig from Shotgun Normal Y Off Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

Y-Stick Dig runs out of Shotgun Normal Y Off Close with 11 personnel and shows a five man route concept against a four man protection look. The two receivers to the boundary side run a crossing combo, one clearing deep on a vertical while the other cuts underneath, creating a natural pick action against man coverage. On the strong side the Y (TE) runs the classic stick route settling outside at the sticks, the X runs a dig sitting over the middle, and the HB releases to the flat as a checkdown and outlet. The primary read starts with the Dig working across the middle, then works down to the Stick and flat combo, making this a versatile man and zone beater depending on how the flat defender and the middle linebacker react.

Defensive Reads

Read the flat defender first, if he widens with the HB the Stick route sits open behind him for an easy completion. Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, shallow zone drops from him choke the Dig route and force you to progress to the Stick or flat. Identify Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells pre-snap since the Dig has room to sit in the soft spot between underneath zone and deep coverage. Man coverage on the crossing receivers can get picked off by the natural route collision, look for a rub against Cover 1 or Cover 0 looks. Beware of a user controlled defender sitting in the shallow middle lurk area, this can jump both the Stick and Dig routes if the QB stares them down too long.

Usage Tips

Check the depth of the middle linebacker before the snap because if he sits shallow the Dig route has room to work behind him for a big gain.

Use the flat route from the HB as your dump off against blitz looks, especially when the defense shows six or more in the box pre-snap.

Hot route the crossing receivers into a quicker option if you see press man on the outside, since the natural rub can get grabbed and disrupted by aggressive corners.

This play pairs well with RPO Zone Stick or RPO Alert Out in the same set since both threaten the same stick and flat combo but punish defenders who key run too fast.

Use in third and medium situations since the Stick and Dig combo gives you three distinct depth options to move the sticks.

Other Plays in Normal Y Off Close