Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Hi Lo Dig is a trips-based dropback pass out of Shotgun Trips Y-Flex that stacks two dig routes at different depths on the boundary side while the trips side clears space underneath. The backside X runs a deep corner-breaking route to hold the safety while the inline slot underneath him runs a short out, and the trips receivers run a deep post, a wheel/comeback out of the backfield area and a flat route to occupy underneath zone defenders. This is a zone beater at its core since the stacked dig routes (the hi lo) attack the intermediate hole between linebackers and safeties, and the primary read progression is the low dig first, working up to the high dig if the underneath zone defender sits on the shallow route.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check linebacker depth and spacing because Cover 3 and Tampa 2 shells with shallow linebacker drops are vulnerable to the low dig sitting in the void underneath. Watch for a user-controlled defender spying the middle of the field, since a lurking Mike linebacker or robber safety can jump both dig routes if the quarterback stares down the read. Man coverage with inside leverage on the digs, especially Cover 1 with a deep free safety, can undercut both crossing routes if the corner route on the backside does not pull the safety away in time. Post-snap, key the flat defender on the trips side because if he widens with the flat route, the passing lane for the low dig opens up immediately for a quick completion. Cover 4 or quarters shells with disciplined zone drops from the linebackers can squeeze the throwing window between the hi and lo digs, forcing the quarterback to hold the ball and risk pressure.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing two-high or single-high safety look because the high dig route needs the middle of the field to be open for the quarterback to sit it down between zone drops.
If you see man coverage, hot route the flat route on the trips side into a quick option or slant to give yourself a fast throwing lane against man beaters that jump the digs.
Use this play on second and medium to second and long when you expect a zone blitz or a spread zone shell since the two dig routes stress hook and curl defenders at different levels.
Pair Hi Lo Dig with Four Verticals or Dagger PoCo from the same set to keep defenses honest, since both plays start with similar trips alignment but attack downfield instead of the intermediate middle.
Sequence this play after running Curls or Stick a few times to bait linebackers into sitting shallow, then hit the high dig over the top of their zone drop for an explosive gain.
