Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
PA Dig Cross out of Singleback Wing Tight is a play-action pass built off a run fake that holds the linebackers before the quarterback works the middle of the field. Off the play fake, the deep route breaks vertical then works into a corner route up the seam and sideline, while the middle route runs a deep dig across the field underneath it. A short crosser sits underneath both, working from one side of the formation to the other, and an outlet route runs a quick out to the boundary as a checkdown against pressure. This is a man beater at its core since the dig and crosser create natural picks and separation against trailing defenders, though the layered depth also stresses zone drops. The primary read progression starts with the dig running across the middle, then works to the deep corner route if the safety bites on the play fake, and finally checks down to the flat out route or crosser if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth at the snap: if they bite hard on the play fake, the underlying dig and crosser will have wide open throwing lanes. Key the safety over the top on the corner route side, since Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with a deep half safety can jump that route if the quarterback stares it down. Look for user linebackers dropping into the passing lanes of the dig, as a smart defender will sit in that window and bait a mistimed throw. Man coverage with no safety help over the crosser gets picked apart quickly, so identify man alignment pre-snap by checking if defenders are lined up across from receivers rather than in zone spacing. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can beat this play before routes develop, so check protection numbers and be ready to hit the flat out or crosser early against pressure looks.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the play action button long enough to freeze linebackers, especially against aggressive run fits.
Use this on early downs like second and short or first and ten when the defense is likely to respect the run action out of Wing Tight personnel.
Check the pre-snap coverage shell before the snap: against two high safeties the corner route has more room to work, while against single high you want to prioritize the dig immediately.
Hot route the flat out to a deeper option or drag if you are getting a hard corner blitz off the edge, since the play fake slows down your protection.
Pair this with HB Inside Zone or HB Power O from the same set to keep defenses honest, then dial up PA Dig Cross once linebackers start crashing downhill on run fakes.
