Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Dig Hi Lo lines up out of Singleback East with 12 personnel and creates a two level dig concept on the play side. The inside receiver runs a deep dig that sits over the middle while the tight end works a shallow dig underneath it, stacking the same read window at two depths to attack zone defenders who have to pick a level. The backside X runs a corner route to hold the deep half or stretch man coverage vertically, while the RB releases to the flat as a check down and outlet against blitz. This is a zone beater at its core, designed to give the quarterback a high low read on a single hook zone defender or Mike linebacker in the middle of the field.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check the safety alignment, two high shells invite the dig combo underneath while one high shells put more pressure on the corner route to win outside. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, a shallow dropping Mike linebacker signals you should target the deeper dig, while a deep sinking linebacker opens the shallow dig for an easy completion. Man coverage on the tight end or slot receiver is where this play struggles most, since the dig routes have to break away from tight trail technique rather than settling into soft zone windows. User controlled lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field are the biggest threat to this concept, since both dig routes cross the same intermediate area and can be jumped by a rover playing underneath. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge force a quick decision, so key the RB release into the flat as your answer against pressure looks.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second and medium to second and long when defenses start sitting in zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 to exploit the high low dig read. Pre-snap, identify the middle linebacker or hook zone defender depth, if he is sitting shallow throw the deep dig, if he sinks deep hit the shallow dig underneath. Hot route the flat back into a shallow drag if you see man coverage across the board to give yourself an easy man beater outlet. Pair this play with Y-dig Inside Hook or Verticals X Cross from this set to keep defenses guessing between single high read concepts and full field stretches. Against Cover 2 shells, look to the corner route first since it occupies the deep half safety before working back down to the dig combo.
