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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Z Dig is a man beater built around the Z receiver working across the middle of the field on a deep dig route, with the tight ends and running back providing underneath and outlet options to hold linebackers. The route combo stresses the seams between the linebackers and safeties, giving the quarterback a defined progression that starts with the dig and works down to the shorter crossing routes if the window is not open. This is a straight drop back pass out of Singleback Deuce 12 personnel, relying on the offensive line in a standard pass protection scheme to buy enough time for the dig to develop.
Defensive Reads
Check for single high safety versus two high shells before the snap, two high often signals a Cover 2 or Cover 4 shell that squeezes the dig window Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, a shallow drop means he is sitting on the dig and you should look off or check down to the tight end Identify man coverage by looking for defenders turning their hips and running with receivers instead of sitting in zone drops Beware of a user controlled linebacker or safety lurking in the shallow to intermediate middle, he can jump the dig route if the quarterback stares it down This play is vulnerable to disguised zone blitzes where a linebacker drops into the exact passing lane the dig occupies, so scan the defense post snap for extra rushers coming from unexpected gaps
Usage Tips
Look at the safety alignment before the snap, single high shells open up the dig because the middle linebacker has to respect the deep half instead of jumping the route
Use motion or a hot route on one of the tight ends to check the coverage type and force a defender to declare man or zone before the snap
Hold the dig read until it clears the far hash, do not rush the throw or you will lead the receiver into a lurking linebacker sitting in the passing window
This play works best on second and long or third and medium when the defense is more likely to sit in zone shells rather than bring pressure
Pair Z Dig with PA Dig or PA Boot Roll from the same set to sell run action first, then hit the same dig concept later in a series once the defense starts keying run fits
