Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Dig WR Option lines up in Shotgun out of Split WR Backfield with 11 personnel and shows a three man route concept to the play side. The backside receiver runs a deep dig that crosses the field underneath the far outside route, the inside slot runs an option route that can sit down or break out against the flow of the coverage, and the outside receiver on that side clears vertically before turning it into a deep crosser along the top of the diagram. The running back releases from the backfield on a delayed route out to the flat, giving you a built in checkdown and man beater against blitz look. This is a play-action free concept: the dig and option combo attacks zone drops in the middle of the field, while the option route specifically gives you a built in answer versus man coverage since the receiver reads the defender leverage. Primary progression starts with the option route working from the slot, then works to the deep dig crossing the field, and finally checks down to the running back in the flat if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Read the slot defender's alignment pre-snap, if he is playing inside leverage the option route will break outside and vice versa. Watch for a user controlled linebacker sitting in the middle of the field, this is the biggest threat to the deep dig route since it crosses right through his zone. Check safety depth before the snap, a single high safety usually means Cover 3 or Cover 1 which favors the dig route sitting behind the second level. Two deep safeties pre-snap often signals Cover 2 or Cover 4, in this case the option route becomes the higher percentage read since it settles underneath the corners. If you see a linebacker or nickel blitzer creeping toward the running back's side before the snap, get the ball out quickly to the option route or dig since the flat route may not have time to develop.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to identify if the defense is showing man or zone before the snap, since the option route lives or dies on getting an accurate leverage read.
Against man coverage, key the option route receiver to break away from the defender's shade, this is your first and best answer versus press or trail technique.
Against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, prioritize the deep dig since it settles in the void behind the linebackers and in front of the deep safeties.
Use the running back's flat route as your answer versus blitz heavy calls, it is a quick access outlet when the dig and option routes are still developing.
Pair this play with HB Power O or Inside Zone from the same set to keep the defense honest on run fits, then come back to Dig WR Option once you see linebackers cheating downhill.
