---
title: "Dig Concept Explained: Attacking the Middle at 15 Yards"
description: "The dig concept attacks the intermediate middle with a 15-yard in route and a back underneath. The build, what it beats and the quarterback's read."
url: https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/concepts/dig/
---

passing concept

# Dig Concept

The dig concept sends a receiver on a 15-yard in route behind the linebackers, with the back on an option route underneath. That gives you a vertical read on the defenders in the middle.

![Dig passing concept diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/concepts/dig.webp)

## 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.

## The Routes in Dig

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![HB Option diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/routes/hb-option.thumb.webp)

HB Option

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![In diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/routes/in.thumb.webp)

In

## Rep Dig Against These Coverages

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![Cover 1 diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-1.thumb.webp)

Cover 1 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 2 Tampa diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-2-tampa.thumb.webp)

Cover 2 Tampa 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 3 diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-3.thumb.webp)

Cover 3 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 4 diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-4.thumb.webp)

Cover 4 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 6 diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-6.thumb.webp)

Cover 6 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 3 Buzz diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-3-buzz.thumb.webp)

Cover 3 Buzz 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 3 Weak Buzz diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-3-weak-buzz.thumb.webp)

Cover 3 Weak Buzz 31 plays to rep against
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![Cover 5 diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/coverages/cover-5.thumb.webp)

Cover 5 31 plays to rep against

+ 4 more in Crucible

## Dig Plays in Crucible

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![Branch Dig diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/plays/branch-dig.thumb.webp)

Branch Dig

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![Sail Dig diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/plays/sail-dig.thumb.webp)

Sail Dig

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![Scissors Dig diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/plays/scissors-dig.thumb.webp)

Scissors Dig

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![Twist Dig diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/plays/twist-dig.thumb.webp)

Twist Dig

## Related routes

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In

Rep Dig in Crucible
Crucible is a quarterback simulator: you take the snap, read the defense and make the throw, then see exactly what you missed. Unlimited reps, on your phone.
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