Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Switch Dig runs off play-action from Shotgun Trips Y-Flex, using a route switch release from the trips side to confuse man defenders. The two outside trips receivers cross paths at the snap, with the inner receiver working an out and up to the corner while the outside receiver bends into a deep dig that sits over the middle of the field. The backside X runs a deep post from the isolated side, and the play design pulls the offensive line into a play-action pass set to hold the front seven, making this primarily a man beater that exploits the traffic created by the switch release, with the deep dig as the clear primary read once the play-action freezes the linebackers.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage without safety help over the top is the biggest vulnerability here, since the switch release manufactures a natural pick and the dig route will find soft grass in the intermediate middle. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, because if the second level bites hard on the play-action fake, the dig route will sit wide open behind them before they can recover. Cover 3 with a sinking hook defender can wall off the dig route, so if you see a single high safety with linebackers dropping into deep zone spots rather than chasing the fake, expect the throwing window to shrink. User-controlled lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field are the primary defensive counter, since a rangy linebacker or safety reading the quarterback's eyes can jump the dig route in the passing window. Cover 2 shells with corners playing the flat and safeties splitting the deep post and corner route can force a checkdown, since both outside routes from the trips side will be capped and the backside post will run into a safety.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs or second and medium when defenses expect run action off your inside zone or HB off tackle calls in this set, since the play-action fake sells harder against aggressive run fits.
Pre-snap, look for man coverage indicators like press corners or a single high safety, because the switch release at the top of the screen is designed to create natural traffic and separation against man defenders trailing across the formation.
If you see two high safeties sitting deep, hot route the backside post into a shorter comeback or hitch to avoid throwing into a squeezed window, since the post can get taken away by a deep half defender.
Progression should start with the dig sitting down in the middle voids, then work to the corner route if the dig is capped by a linebacker sinking into the throwing lane, and finally check down if both are covered.
Pair this call with Strong Flood X-Cross or PA WR In earlier in a drive so the defense respects other play-action shots from this formation, then dial up Switch Dig when you diagnose man coverage on film or in-game tendencies.
