Dig Concept

How the Dig Concept Is Built

In Crucible's Dig, an outside receiver breaks flat at 15 yards and the back's option route sits at about 4 yards against zone or breaks away against man (the MATCH adjustment in the diagram). In Crucible, Dig is the backside half of plays such as Branch Dig, Sail Dig, Scissors Dig and Twist Dig: you read the three-receiver concept on the strong side first, then work Dig as a low-high.

What It Beats

• Zones whose linebackers drop to normal depth and leave the window behind them.
• MFC (single-high) coverages when the post safety is held by a vertical route.

How the QB Reads It

Read the linebackers in the middle. If they sink under the in route, throw to the back underneath; if they step up for the back, throw the in route behind them.