Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Digs H Option is a two-man dig concept out of Shotgun Spread Y-Slot that sends both outside receivers on in-breaking dig routes from opposite sides of the formation, crossing through the middle of the field at roughly the same depth. The X to the left runs straight upfield before breaking flat across the field, while the Z to the right mirrors that same dig from the opposite side, giving you a natural pick or rub read against man coverage. The inside receiver on the right (the H option, shown in red) runs an option route that can sit down or break vertically based on the leverage of the underneath defender, giving you a built-in answer versus both man and zone. This is a man beater first and foremost due to the natural crossing traffic, but the H option route also gives it zone answers versus Cover 2 or Cover 3 by settling into soft spots. Primary read progression starts with the H option route since it is the quickest access read against blitz or aggressive man coverage, then progresses to the two dig routes crossing at intermediate depth, working the near-side dig first and working back across the field to the far-side dig if the first is covered.
Defensive Reads
If you are on defense, identify the two dig routes pre-snap by recognizing Spread Y-Slot alignment and get your linebackers to sink and wall off the intermediate crossing lanes instead of biting on the option route. Watch for a single high safety rotating late, if he cheats toward one dig the other dig route will be wide open working back across the field. Man coverage without a rat linebacker in the middle gets exposed hard by the natural rub created from both digs crossing, so play zone match or bracket the slot receiver running the option route. Underneath zone defenders must locate the H option receiver immediately after the snap since he settles quickly into throwing lanes and becomes a checkdown killer if left unaccounted for. Bring interior pressure with a spy or lurking linebacker to disrupt the quarterback's timing before the digs fully develop, since this route combo relies on rhythm and timing from the pocket.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second and medium to third and long since both digs need time to develop at intermediate depth and the sit-down option needs a beat to read the linebacker leverage.
Check pre-snap for single high safety looks, if you see one high safety the dig crossing action becomes even more dangerous because the deep defender cannot help over both digs.
If the defense shows man coverage with no safety help over the middle, hot route the H option into a deep dig or bench route to create even more natural traffic through the crossers.
Against zone shells, key the H option receiver to sit in the soft spot between the underneath zone defenders rather than pushing it vertically, this keeps the sit route as your zone beater answer.
Pair this play with Y Cross or Cross Dig from the same set to keep defenses guessing between single crosser action and this double dig action, both punish linebackers who overcommit to the flat.
