Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Dig from Singleback Wing Stack sells the play-action fake to the backfield before working a three level route concept to the play side. The outside receiver runs a deep vertical to stretch the safety while the slot or wing receiver breaks inside on the dig route crossing the field at intermediate depth, and the backside receiver runs an over route working across the field as a crossing option. The running back leaks out into a check release flat route underneath to give the quarterback a built in outlet against pressure. This is a play-action pass designed to beat zone coverage by clearing out the deep half with the vertical route and settling the dig into the vacated middle of the field, with the primary read progressing from the deep vertical shot down to the dig and finally to the running back leak as the checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Read the middle linebacker depth at the snap since a shallow drop signals he is sitting on the dig route and you should look elsewhere. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in a lurk position in the middle of the field, as this is the primary threat that can jump the dig throwing lane. Identify two high safety shells before the snap because this play is built to attack the void those shells leave underneath the deep routes. Cover 3 with a fast dropping middle linebacker can undercut the dig route, so key his reaction to the play-action fake to decide whether to reset your read to the running back leak. Man coverage with no safety help over the top can be vulnerable to the vertical route, so watch corner leverage before the snap to see if a hot route to a deep shot is available.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs in run heavy personnel to keep the play-action fake believable against linebackers who are keying the backfield.
Check the safety alignment pre-snap: if you see two high safeties sitting deep, the dig route has a clean throwing lane once it clears the linebacker level.
If the defense shows single high or man coverage indicators, consider hot routing the vertical route to a deep comeback to counter aggressive corners jumping the route.
Pair this play with HB Dive or HB Zone Wk earlier in a drive so the play-action fake carries more weight and linebackers bite harder on the run action.
Use the running back leak as your answer against disguised blitzes since it releases late and gives you a quick outlet before the pocket collapses.
