Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Empty Post Dagger deploys five eligible receivers with no running back in the backfield, isolating the Dagger concept on the strong side. The outside receiver on the trips side runs a deep post to clear out the top of the coverage while the inside slot receiver sits down on a dig route underneath it, creating a natural high low read against a single defender. On the backside, the lone receiver runs a deep comeback while the two remaining trips receivers work shallow crossers underneath, giving the quarterback a full field progression from the post dig combo to the backside comeback. This is a classic Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater built to attack the seam vacated between the deep half or deep third defenders.
Defensive Reads
Read the safety alignment before the snap, two high safeties tipping Cover 2 or Cover 4 are the post route's best friend since it splits the seams. Watch the corner's press or soft technique on the post side, aggressive press corners can jump the post if the quarterback is late with the throw. Key the middle linebacker's drop, if he sinks deep to cover the dig route the underneath crossers open up as checkdown options. Look for a lurking safety or linebacker sitting in the throwing lane of the dig route, a disciplined user controlled defender can jump this route and create a turnover. Diagnose blitz packages immediately with no running back to check release, empty formations expose the quarterback to unblocked rushers if the protection call is wrong.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify if the safeties are showing two high or rotating to single high because that dictates whether you throw the post or work the dig underneath it.
Against Cover 2, target the post route as it splits the safeties before they can get over the top, especially if the corner shows soft outside leverage.
Against Cover 3, work the dig route since the deep third defender cannot cover both the post and the underneath window, making the dig the higher percentage throw.
Use empty formations like this on third and medium to long since the extra receiver forces linebackers into coverage conflicts they are not built to win.
Pair this play with Four Verticals or Empty Post Cross from the same set to keep defenses guessing between vertical stress and the post dig combo out of an identical empty look.
If the defense shows heavy blitz pre-snap, hot route the shallow crossers into quick option routes to give the quarterback an immediate answer against pressure.
