Playbooks

Fl Short Dig

Shotgun·Y Trips Wk·11

Dig Pass Play

Likely unavailable in the playbook builder

This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetY Trips Wk

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Fix OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Fl Short Dig is a trips-based dig concept out of Shotgun Y Trips Wk that isolates the backside flanker on a shallow dig route while the trips side runs off coverage with a vertical stem and underneath breakers to occupy zone defenders. The RB checks protection before releasing into the shallow flat as a checkdown option, giving the quarterback a built-in outlet if the dig is not open. This is a zone beater at its core, since the dig sits down in the soft spot between the linebackers and safeties, but it holds up against man coverage too if the flanker can create initial separation with a quick in-cut stem. The primary read progression starts backside with the dig, then works to the checkdown or any late-developing window on the trips side if the middle of the field is closed off.

Defensive Reads

Read the middle linebacker depth at the snap, since a shallow drop or spy alignment signals he is sitting on the dig route and will jump the throw if you telegraph it. Check for two high safeties pre-snap, which usually means the defense is in zone and the dig has room to work in the intermediate middle. If the safeties rotate to single high post-snap, that is often man coverage or Cover 3, and you need to trust the dig winning on the break rather than sitting in a soft zone window. Watch for a user-controlled defender flashing down into the shallow crosser or lurking in the passing lane, since that lurk threat is the biggest risk to this concept and should push you to the checkdown or backside options. Nano blitz packages or overload pressure off the edge can collapse the pocket before the dig fully breaks, so recognize five or six man rush shows early and get rid of the ball on time.

Usage Tips

Use this play on second or third and medium when you need a reliable underneath answer against off coverage or zone drops. Pre-snap, identify if the defense is showing two high safeties, since that usually means the middle of the field is open for the dig to sit down cleanly. If you see man coverage with a single high safety, consider hot routing the dig to a quicker in-cut or speed in to beat press or tight coverage before the window closes. Pair this play with Fl Dig or Levels Y Out earlier in a series to condition the defense to bite on shallow crossers, then hit this dig concept when linebackers start jumping underneath routes too aggressively. Against zone blitz looks, get the ball out on time to the dig or checkdown before extra rushers collapse the pocket, since the protection is not built to hold up long against five or six man pressure.