Playbooks

PA Verts Y Dig

Singleback·Wing·12
Play ActionDigFour VertsPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 3 Beater
Play diagram for PA Verts Y Dig from Singleback Wing in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback
SetWing

In 3 playbooks

Franchise Offense MaxprotectOffenseSaints OffenseOffenseNFL Live Saints OffenseOffense

Breakdown

PA Verts Y Dig runs a play-action fake out of Singleback Wing 12 personnel, holding the run fake to sell the boot before releasing four vertical stems. The backside X runs a straight vertical shot up the numbers, the Y (TE) works from the core across the field on a dig that settles in the middle of the field, and the outside receiver on the strong side climbs vertically as well, stacking three deep verticals with the dig crossing underneath to attack the seams and hole in zone drops. This is primarily a Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater, designed to overload the deep safeties with verticals while the Y Dig settles into the vacated middle void behind linebackers and in front of deep zone defenders, with the first read being the Y Dig against zone coverage and the verticals as the deep shot option if the safety bites on the play fake.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify two high safeties versus one high safety to determine whether Cover 2 or Cover 3 concepts are in play, since this route combo is built to punish both shells differently. Key the middle linebacker and hook defenders after the snap, if they sink deep to take away the dig, the verticals should be wide open behind them, especially against Cover 2 where the safeties are forced to widen for the outside verticals. Watch for a user-controlled safety sitting in the deep middle third who can rob the dig route as it crosses the field, this is the primary threat to this concept against Cover 3. Man coverage with no safety help over the top will get exposed by the verticals immediately, so if you see man alignment with cornerbacks pressed or shaded outside, expect a big play down the field. Beware of a Cover 4 quarters shell with disciplined linebackers, since the underneath zone defenders can sit on the dig while the safeties bracket the verticals, taking away both levels of the concept.

Usage Tips

Use this on early downs or manageable third downs when you have already established the run game with 26 Duo or HB Power O to freeze linebackers and safeties on the fake.

Check the safety depth pre-snap, if you see two high safeties sitting at 10 to 12 yards, expect Cover 2 or Cover 4 and prioritize the Y Dig sitting in the hole between the hashes.

Against Cover 3 with a single high safety, work the vertical on the numbers first since the flat defender and deep third defender have to choose between the vertical and any flat threat, then come back to the dig if the middle linebacker widens.

If the user drops a linebacker into a deep hook zone to jump the dig, hot route the Y to break the dig later or convert to a deeper crossing angle to clear the sitting defender.

Pair this play with Sluggo Seam or PA Y-Drag Wheel in the same set to keep defenses guessing on run fake reads versus different vertical stem combinations, forcing linebackers to respect the run every snap.

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