---
title: "In Route (Dig Route) in Football Explained"
description: "The in route, or dig, breaks flat across the field at about 15 yards. How it is run, the coverages it attacks and how it pairs with shallow routes."
url: https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/routes/in/
---

route

# In Route (Dig)

An in route, often called a dig (in Crucible, Dig is the name of the concept built around it), runs vertically and then breaks flat across the middle, at 15 yards in Crucible's diagram. It attacks the intermediate middle, behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties.

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

## How the in Route Is Run

The receiver plants at the break depth and runs flat across the field. Against zone, the receiver looks for the window between underneath defenders; against man, keeps running away from the defender.

## What It Beats

- Zones whose linebackers drop to normal depth, leaving the window behind them.
- Paired with shallow crossers underneath, as in Mesh, it puts the middle linebacker in a low-high.
- MFO (two-high) coverages whose safeties are held by verticals.

## Common Questions

### What is an in route in football?

An in route, often called a dig (in Crucible, Dig is the name of the concept built around it), runs vertically and then breaks flat across the middle, at 15 yards in Crucible's diagram.

## Concepts Built With the In

-

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

Dig HB Option / In
-

![Icon diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/concepts/icon.thumb.webp)

Icon Chute / Option / In

-

![Mesh diagram](https://www.crucibletech.com/playbook/img/football_11v11/concepts/mesh.thumb.webp)

Mesh Shallow / Rail / Cross / In

## Related passing concepts

-

Dig HB Option / In
-

Mesh Shallow / Rail / Cross / In

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