Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Hammer Dagger is a classic Dagger concept built out of the Shotgun Tight Y Off Wk 11 personnel set. The backside receiver runs a deep vertical clearout while the inside route breaks into a corner post, creating a two level stretch on the same side, and the interior TE runs a deep dig sitting behind the clearout to attack the middle of the field. On the strong side, the outside WR runs an out breaking route off the numbers while the flare route from the backfield works underneath into the sideline flat, giving the quarterback a full field read with man beating separation and zone beating window shots. Primary progression starts with the dig coming across the middle, then works to the deep corner post, and comes down to the flat/out combo on the strong side if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and spacing, since a two high shell with soft cushion invites the dig route to sit in the window between the linebackers and safeties. Watch the flat defender or nickel corner on the strong side, if he sinks with the out route it opens the flare underneath for an easy checkdown. Post-snap, key any user controlled lurk defender sitting in the passing lane of the dig, that is the biggest threat to this concept and forces the quarterback to hold the ball longer. Against man coverage, the deep clearout route drags away man defenders, so watch for a linebacker or safety staying on the dig runner in man which signals man beater exploitation. Cover 3 with a rotated safety can be beaten if the corner route stretches the deep third defender, but a disciplined deep third defender staying home can take away the corner and force the checkdown flare.
Usage Tips
Use this on 2nd and long or 3rd and medium to long when you need a chunk play over the middle of the field.
Pre-snap, identify whether the safeties are showing two high or rotating to single high, since Dagger dig thrives against Cover 2 and Cover 3 shells with soft middle voids.
If the corner presses the vertical clearout receiver, hot route him to a slant or hitch to speed up the timing and give yourself a quicker outlet.
Pair this play with Smash Dagger or Z Dagger in your call sheet so the defense sees the same vertical stem shell and cannot key on the dig versus corner combo.
Against man coverage, key the dig route first since it settles into open grass created by the clearout occupying the deep defender.
