Playbooks

Flanker Dig

Shotgun·Spread Y-Flex Wk·11

Dig Pass Play

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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSpread Y-Flex Wk

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 2 playbooks

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffense Elites OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Flanker Dig is a route combo out of Shotgun Spread Y-Flex Wk that hinges on the flanker breaking inside on a dig route to attack the intermediate middle of the field, with underneath and vertical routes stretching the defense to open passing lanes. This concept is primarily a zone beater, designed to settle the dig into soft spots between the linebackers and safeties in Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells, though it can also work against man coverage if the dig creates enough separation off the break. The primary read progression starts with the flanker's dig over the middle, then works to the underneath routes if the middle is clogged, with a checkdown as the final outlet against a hard blitz.

Defensive Reads

Read the middle linebacker's depth at the snap since a shallow drop signals he can undercut the dig route and jump the throw. Watch for a single high safety rotating late, which usually means Cover 3 and opens up the void behind the underneath zone defenders for the dig to sit in. Beware of user controlled linebackers spying the middle of the field or lurking in the shallow zone, as they can bait the quarterback into an interception on the dig. Blitz packages that bring extra pressure off the edge force a quicker decision, so check protection and look to the checkdown if the dig has not developed by the time pressure arrives. Against Cover 2 man or press man alignments, the dig route can get picked at the top of its break if the cornerback has inside leverage, so confirm outside leverage pre-snap before relying on this as the primary read.

Usage Tips

Use this play on second and medium to third and short distances where the sit-down dig route has room to work before the sticks. Identify the coverage shell pre-snap by checking safety depth: a two high shell with cornerbacks playing off suggests soft zone underneath, which is ideal for the dig to settle into. Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or slant if you see man coverage with no help over the top, giving you a faster releasing man beater option. Pair this play with Slot Outs or H Stick from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick underneath throws and the deeper dig read. Against teams that sit in zone all game, sequence this play after Four Verticals or PA Dagger to condition linebackers to drop deep, then hit the dig sooner in the route progression.