Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Cross Dig runs a play-action fake out of Shotgun Tight Flex to hold the linebackers before attacking the middle of the field. The TE runs a deep dig sitting over the middle while the backside receiver crosses underneath it, creating a natural rub and picking off man defenders trying to stay in phase. The outside receiver to the strong side runs a corner breaking route to stretch the deep third, the backside X clears out on a deep out or comeback, and the RB checks into the flat as a shallow outlet. Primary progression starts with the dig coming across the field, works to the crosser underneath if the dig is capped, then checks down to the RB in the flat if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Check the safety alignment pre-snap, a single high safety confirms man or Cover 3 which are the shells this dig route exploits best. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they bite hard on the run fake the middle window for the dig opens up immediately. Post-snap, identify any user lurk defender sitting in the shallow crossing lane since that is the biggest disruptor to the underneath crosser option. Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties can squeeze the window for the dig, so be ready to check down to the RB flat route quickly. Look for late rotating blitzes off the edge since the play-action read takes extra time to develop and can expose the QB to unblocked rushers if protection is thin.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the play-action button through the mesh point so linebackers commit downhill and open the window for the dig route.
Use this against single high safety looks or man coverage where the crosser and dig can pick off defenders in phase, since the natural traffic in the middle disrupts man leverage.
Hot route the RB to a flat route or check him into a block if you are getting pressure up the middle, this buys the QB time to let the dig develop.
Pair this with Mtn Y Cross or Falcon Cross earlier in a series so the defense starts keying underneath crossers, then hit them with the deeper dig route for a bigger chunk play.
Best called on second and medium or first down to keep defenses honest against the run fake, since aggressive linebacker flow opens up the intermediate middle of the field.
