Playbooks
Hi Lo Dig is a dig-based passing concept run out of Shotgun Trips X Nasty Offset WK that stacks two dig routes at different depths on the same side of the field to create a natural high low read against zone or man coverage. The trips side typically works an underneath crosser or flat route to hold linebackers while the offset back or single receiver on the backside offers a dump off outlet against blitz looks. This is primarily a zone beater because the vertical spacing between the two digs forces a linebacker or safety to choose which route to cover, but it also holds up against man coverage if the receiver running the deeper dig can create separation off the break. The primary read progression starts with the low dig underneath, then climbs to the high dig if the shallow route is capped, and finishes with the checkdown if both digs are covered.
Check the middle linebacker depth at the snap because a shallow drop signals he is sitting on the low dig, which means you should climb the progression to the high dig immediately Watch for a single high safety rotating late since that usually means the defense is playing a form of Cover 3 or Cover 1 that leaves a seam for the high dig to split the zone Man coverage with press corners on the outside receivers is the toughest matchup for this play, since the digs need time to develop and press technique disrupts the timing of the route breaks Look for a user controlled linebacker or safety sitting in a lurk position between the two digs, which is the biggest threat to this concept and usually forces the checkdown or backside hot route Cover 2 shells with deep zone drops from the corners tend to open the low dig immediately since the underneath defenders are focused on flat and curl zones rather than the intermediate window
Pre snap, identify whether the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell because the high low dig combo is most effective against single high looks that leave one defender responsible for both digs
Use hot routes to convert the backside receiver into a quick out or speed out if you diagnose man coverage before the snap, since that gives you a fast beater against a corner playing tight technique
This play is best called on second and medium to third and medium situations where the sit down window on the low dig matches the sticks
Pair Hi Lo Dig with Quick Fork Zig or Snag Slot Digs from the same set to keep defenders guessing between different dig depths and timing, which forces linebackers to hesitate on their zone drops
If the user controlled defender flashes into the throwing lane on the low dig, immediately reset your eyes to the high dig since the openings tend to alternate based on where the user is dropping