Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
DBL Dig Smash out of Shotgun Normal Y Off lines up with two outside receivers running deep corner routes to clear the top of the defense while the slot receiver runs a quick hitch to the flat, forming the smash concept on the right side. On the left, the TE and inside receiver combine on a dig route that sits over the middle, with the TE breaking under the dig as an underneath crosser. The HB stays in to help protect against the four man rush. This is a Cover 2 beater by design, attacking the corner-hole with the smash concept while the dig gives you a answer against man coverage over the middle. Primary read progression starts with the corner route to the flat defender, then works to the dig sitting in the void behind underneath zones, and comes back to the shallow crosser as the check down.
Defensive Reads
Watch the flat defender at the snap: if he widens with the hitch route, the corner route behind him is live in the smash window. Key the safety over the smash concept, if he stays flat footed instead of rotating over the top, the corner route will win against Cover 2. Against man coverage, get eyes on the middle linebacker or nickel defender assigned to the dig route, since a slow trigger or lack of depth on his drop opens the window for the dig. Blitz packages that bring pressure off the edge can force the QB off his first read, so track whether the offense sends the HB out late as a checkdown against a five or six man rush. This play struggles against Cover 3 or Cover 4 with disciplined deep zone defenders, since the corner route gets taken away and the dig has to work through a crowded middle.
Usage Tips
Use this play on 2nd or 3rd and medium to long when you expect a Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell, since the corner route on the smash side is designed to split the corner and safety. Pre-snap, check the safety alignment: if both safeties are deep, the flat defender becomes the key for your smash read, throw the hitch if he sinks with the corner route. Against man coverage, look immediately to the dig route crossing the middle since it creates natural separation off the traffic near the formation. Hot route the HB to a checkdown flare if you diagnose a blitz, since he is your extra protector but can leak out late versus overload pressure. Pair this play with Curl Flats or Slants earlier in a drive to condition the defense to sit on shorter zone drops, then hit this play when they bite underneath and leave the corner route open.
