Playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn Bunch Cross Dig is a Shotgun bunch pass concept that uses a yellow orbit motion man crossing pre-snap before the ball is snapped, then running an underneath crosser back to the opposite side. Off the bunch, the light blue receiver runs a deep dig that breaks across the middle of the field, while the blue receiver to the backside runs a corner style route up the sideline. The route combo is built to beat man coverage by stacking traffic in the bunch and creating natural picks on the crossers, with the dig as the primary read once the quarterback clears the initial motion crosser underneath.
Defensive Reads
Watch the motion man before the snap, if a defender shadows him across the formation you are facing man coverage and the crossers will have natural rubs to exploit. Key the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sinks too deep on the dig route drop you can hit the underneath crosser for an easy gain. Identify single high versus two high safety shells, single high leaves the deep dig vulnerable while two high can rob the dig and force you to the corner route. Look for a user lurking underneath in the middle of the field, this is the biggest threat to the dig route and can bait an interception if the quarterback does not see him. Man coverage with inside leverage on the bunch struggles to handle the crossing traffic, but a hard blitz with quick pressure can disrupt the timing before the dig fully develops.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap if the defense follows the orbit motion man, this tells you man coverage immediately and opens up the underneath crosser as a quick completion.
Against zone shells, work the deep dig as your primary read since it settles into the void behind linebackers and in front of deep safeties.
Use the backside corner route as a hot read versus single high safety looks when the cornerback bites down on the dig or crosser.
Call this on second and medium to third and medium since the dig needs time to develop and the crosser gives you a checkdown against blitz.
Pair this with Mtn Bunch Drive or Mtn Y Cross in the same set to keep defenses guessing between crossing routes and quick game, then hit this dig once they start jumping the shorter throws.
