Playbooks

Mtn Dagger

Shotgun·Wing Stack Wk·12

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

Vikings OffenseOffenseNFL Live Vikings OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Mtn Dagger is a classic Dagger concept run out of Shotgun 12 personnel in the Wing Stack Wk set, pairing a deep vertical clear out with an underneath dig to attack the middle of the field. The concept sends one receiver on a vertical seam or go route to occupy the deep safety while a second receiver runs a hard dig or in cut underneath, sitting in the void created by the vertical stem. This is a man beater first and foremost, though it also punishes single high zone shells that leave the middle linebacker isolated in coverage, and the primary read progression starts with the deep vertical to see if it draws single coverage before working down to the dig sitting between the underneath zone and the deep coverage.

Defensive Reads

Read the middle linebacker depth and drop at the snap, since a shallow drop signals zone coverage and tells you the dig will have a tighter window while a deep drop or blitz signals man coverage and opens the vertical shot. Identify the safety shell before the snap, because two high safeties usually means the defense wants to take away the deep vertical, forcing you to prioritize the dig route immediately. Watch for user controlled defenders sitting in the middle of the field as a lurk threat, since a smart user will sink into the dig window and jump the throw, so pump fake or manipulate with your eyes before committing. Against Cover 3 or Cover 1, the vertical route tends to win one on one matchups because the deep defender has to respect the underneath crosser, so trust the arm strength and throw with velocity. Watch blitz timing off the edge, because if the offensive line is not winning quickly, the dig route may not have time to develop, so know your checkdown or hot route adjustment before the snap to avoid a negative play.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a quick shift to bait the defense into revealing man versus zone before the snap so you know whether to trust the vertical shot or work the dig immediately.

Against single high safety looks, throw the vertical route with anticipation since the safety has to respect the dig underneath, opening a one on one shot down the field.

Hot route the checkdown or the backside receiver into a quick out or flat route if you expect pressure, giving yourself an outlet against nano blitzes or overload pressure looks.

This play pairs well with Mtn PA Verticals and Mtn Spot in a play-action sequence, since the run action tendencies you build with HB Power and Same Side Zone will hold linebackers and force them to bite on the run fake, opening the dig even wider.

Best called on second and medium or third and long situations where the defense is more likely to sit in zone shells, since the dig sits right in the soft spot between the underneath zone and the deep half defenders.

Other Plays in Wing Stack Wk