Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 11 playbooks
Breakdown
Hi Lo Dig is a trips-side dig concept out of Shotgun Trips X Nasty that stacks two digs at different depths against the boundary while the backside single receiver runs a deep comeback and the attached TE/Y works underneath. The trips side shows the outside receiver breaking outside off a vertical stem, the middle trips receiver running the deep dig across the field (the high dig), and the inner slot receiver running a shorter dig underneath it (the low dig), creating a natural high-low read against zone defenders. The backside X runs a comeback with the RB checking down to the flat, giving this play both man beater and zone beater properties depending on the leverage of the underneath defenders.
Defensive Reads
Identify the middle linebacker depth at the snap since a shallow drop signals he is sitting on the low dig and will not carry vertical routes. Watch for a user-controlled defender sinking into the passing lane between the two digs, which indicates a lurk threat designed to jump the high-low read. Cover 3 and Cover 4 zone shells are vulnerable to this concept since the digs settle in the soft spots between the underneath and deep zones. Man coverage with an aggressive nickel or slot corner can bait the low dig into a pick or rub if the trips receivers are bunched tightly at the snap. Watch for a blitz off the trips side since the protection has to account for extra rushers, which can collapse the pocket before the deeper dig has time to develop.
Usage Tips
Read the middle of the field pre-snap to identify single high versus two high shells before committing to the dig side.
Against zone coverage, work the high-low dig read from outside in, letting the low dig settle underneath linebackers before hitting the high dig behind them.
If the defense shows man coverage, look to the low dig first since it creates immediate separation off the stem before the deeper route develops.
Use the backside comeback as a hot route answer versus aggressive cornerback press or when the defense rolls coverage away from the trips side.
Pair this play with Hi Lo Cross or Snag Slot Digs in the same set to keep the defense guessing on which route combo attacks the underneath zones on any given down.
