Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Dig Return is a pass play out of Singleback Bunch with 11 personnel that uses the bunch alignment to create natural rub release for the underneath routes. The backside receiver runs a deep corner route while the bunch releases into a dig that breaks hard across the middle, with a flat route underneath and a return route working back to the sideline as the checkdown. This is a man beater built on the bunch traffic to spring the dig open, and the primary read progression starts with the dig coming across the middle before working down to the flat and return route on the boundary side.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check safety depth and alignment since a single high safety indicates man coverage underneath which is exactly what this dig route is designed to exploit. Watch cornerback press alignment on the bunch receivers because tight press coverage without safety help over the top can get beaten badly by the rub release into the dig. Post-snap, key the middle linebacker or a user controlled lurk defender who can sit in the throwing window of the dig route and jump the throw if the quarterback stares it down. Cover 3 zone with a deep third defender sinking into the dig window can shut this play down, so respect zone drops and be ready to check to the flat or return route instead. Watch for blitz packages that bring extra pressure off the edge since the deep corner and dig routes take time to develop and a fast four man rush can force an early or errant throw.
Usage Tips
Look for man coverage or a single high safety pre-snap since the bunch alignment creates natural picks that spring the dig route open against man defenders.
Motion one of the bunch receivers before the snap to see if the defense shifts or reveals man coverage by following the motion man across the formation.
If you see a linebacker sitting in the middle of the field in a zone shell, hot route the dig into a shallow cross or hitch to avoid throwing into a lurking defender.
This play works best on second and medium to third and long since the dig needs time to develop and the deep corner route can take the top off a defense playing soft zone.
Pair Dig Return with Spot Dig or Sluggo Seam from this same set to keep the defense guessing between deep crossing routes and shorter combination routes out of the same bunch look.
