Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Left | Block and Release Flat |
| WR3 | Left | Deep Cross |
| WR2 | Left | Deep In |
| TE1 | Right | Zig |
| WR1 | Left | Post |
Switch Dagger is a man beater built around a switch release from the trips side that creates natural rub traffic to shake defenders on crossing patterns. The dagger concept sends one receiver on a deep vertical to clear out the safety while a underneath receiver settles into the void with a dig or in-cut route, and the backside typically holds a corner or comeback for a two-level stress. Your primary read starts with the switch release combo out of trips to see if the rub springs anyone open immediately, then works to the dagger dig sitting underneath the cleared out vertical route.
Pre-snap, identify single high versus two high safety alignment because single high tells you the dig should sit down in the vacated middle of the field once the vertical clears the free safety. Watch the cornerback press versus off alignment on the trips side, since press man coverage increases the effectiveness of the switch release rub and often creates natural separation. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker or the nickel defender for a user controlled lurk sitting in the shallow to intermediate zone, since a good user lurk can jump the dagger dig and bait you into an interception. This play struggles against a hard cover 3 or cover 4 match zone shell where the corners sink with the vertical route and a robber safety can rob the intermediate crossing route, so be ready to check to a run play like Bounce Inside Zone if you see that shell pre-snap. Look for blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since a fast four man or five man pressure can collapse the pocket before the deep dagger route has time to develop against zone drops.
Check the safety alignment before the snap because this play thrives against single high shells where the deep vertical can occupy the free safety and open up the dig underneath.
Use motion or a quick glance at the linebacker depth to confirm if you are getting man coverage, since the switch release is designed to create natural picks against man defenders trailing in coverage.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or speed out if you diagnose a two high shell, since that gives you an immediate answer without waiting on the deep dagger read to develop.
Call this on early downs in the low red zone or in the 5 to 10 yard range on second down, then follow it up with Mtn Dagger or China Y-Shake later in the drive to attack the same coverage shell from a different formation and keep the defense guessing.
If the user jumps the underneath dig with a linebacker spy, be ready to reset your eyes to the deep vertical clearing route for an explosive shot play instead of forcing the check down.