Dig Route in Football: Decoding the Essential Receiver Technique

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There are many routes in football.

Its important to have a developed route tree, and have your receivers practice the proper footwork for them all.

This article will focus specifically on the dig route. The Dig route in football is a fundamental passing route that is crucial for any offensive playbook.

Often referred to as the “In route,” it is characterized by its trajectory towards the middle of the field, making it a relatively straightforward route to run.

Despite its simplicity, mastering the Dig route is essential for wide receivers to exploit gaps in opposing defenses and create valuable opportunities for their team.

This common route begins with the receiver running vertically for a predetermined distance, typically between 10 to 15 yards, before making a sharp cut towards the middle of the field. T

he Dig route’s effectiveness lies in its ability to stretch the defense and find open spaces within a zone coverage or force a mismatch against man-to-man coverage.

To successfully execute a Dig route, wide receivers need to focus on precise footwork, crisp route-running, and awareness of the defensive coverage.

By doing so, they contribute to their team’s offensive prowess and open up the field for both themselves and their teammates. As we delve further into the world of football, understanding the Dig route and its basic principles is a great starting point for grasping the intricacies of the sport’s offensive strategies.

Dig Route in Football

Receiver

The Dig route is a fundamental passing route in football, run by the receiver, usually the wide receiver. One of its main objectives is to deceive the defender by initially appearing as if running a Go route.

The receiver sprints straight downfield, and at a certain point, they abruptly stop and cut directly across the field in a horizontal direction, heading toward the inside of the field.

This sudden change of direction exploits any potential defensive coverage gaps, creating room for the quarterback to complete a pass to the receiver.

Depth

Typically, the Dig route involves the receiver running approximately 10 to 15 yards downfield before making their break toward the middle of the field.

The exact depth of this route can vary depending on the offensive play design and the position from which the receiver is running. Regardless of the depth or position, the main goal is to create separation from the defender while still remaining accessible to the quarterback.

With proper execution and timing from both the receiver and the quarterback, the Dig route can be a reliable and effective component of a team’s offensive strategy.

Although simplistic in comparison to some combination routes, the Dig route’s success largely hinges on effective route running by the receiver and positioning to maintain a clear passing window for the quarterback.

Defensive Strategies and Coverage

Man Coverage

Man coverage is a defensive strategy in which defenders are assigned to cover specific offensive players, such as wide receivers or tight ends. Linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties play man-to-man defense against their opponents, focusing on following their assigned player throughout a play.

This coverage can be effective against short or quick passes, but may struggle against crossing routes or pick plays that create confusion among defenders.

Zone Coverage

Zone coverage divides the field into specific areas, with defenders responsible for covering any offensive player that enters their assigned zone. Common zone coverage include:

  • Cover-2: The deep part of the field is divided into two zones, with each deep safety responsible for covering one half. Corner backs and linebackers cover the short to intermediate zones.
  • Cover-3: The field is divided into three deep zones with two corner backs and a safety covering them. Linebackers and additional safeties cover short to intermediate zones.

Zone coverage can be effective against longer-developing plays and helps prevent big plays down the field, but may leave open areas that can be exploited by precise route combinations like the Dig route.

Blitzing

Blitzing is a defensive strategy that involves sending additional defenders to rush the quarterback, aiming to create pressure and force quick decisions or sacks. This aggressive approach can disrupt an offense’s rhythm and often leaves fewer defenders in coverage. Blitzing can be effective against slower-developing plays but may leave the defense vulnerable in the following scenarios:

  • No underneath help, often leading to potential big gains on short passes.
  • Defensive backs being forced to cover receivers one-on-one, which could lead to big plays down the field if the blitz fails to create pressure.

When defending against a Dig route, it is important for defenders to utilize proper leverage and coverage techniques to prevent easy completions. A well-designed defensive scheme combines man coverage, zone coverage, and blitzing elements to effectively counter various offensive strategies, including the Dig route.

Offensive Strategies and Playbooks

RPO

In football, offensive coaches often utilize the Run-Pass Option (RPO) as a versatile play that keeps the defense guessing. In an RPO, the quarterback decides whether to hand off the ball for a run or throw a pass based on the defenders’ movements. Incorporating the Dig route into an RPO can create more opportunities for the quarterback to exploit defensive weaknesses, as the Dig route works well within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage.

Combination Routes

Combination routes involve multiple pass routes being run simultaneously by different receivers. The Dig route can be paired with other football route tree elements, such as the pivot or quick out route, to exploit gaps in the defense. Here are some common combination routes that utilize the Dig route:

  • Levels: Two receivers run Dig routes at different depths, forcing defenders to choose who to cover and leaving one receiver open.
  • Drive: One receiver runs a shallow Dig route, while another receiver runs a deeper Dig route or crossing route.

Route Combinations

Route combinations are strategically designed to attack specific defensive coverages. A common strategy is to use dig routes against zone coverage schemes in college and high school playbooks. When defenders back off to protect the deep pass, receivers can exploit open areas underneath and present a viable target for the quarterback.

Mesh

The Mesh concept is a passing play that involves two or more receivers running crossing routes, creating a natural pick against man-to-man coverage. Adding a Dig route into the Mesh concept can confuse the defense, as the Dig route’s sharp cut across the middle of the field can create separation from defenders.

Spacing Concept

The Spacing Concept is designed to create easy reads and throws for the quarterback by spreading out a cluster of short routes across the field. Combining the Dig route with other short routes in the Spacing Concept, such as hooks or quick outs, helps create more open space for the quarterback to quickly deliver an accurate pass.

Integrating the Dig route into various offensive strategies and playbooks allows coaches and players to adapt and respond to different defensive schemes. From RPOs to the Mesh and Spacing concepts, the Dig route’s versatility contributes to the success of passing plays at all levels of football.

Advanced Techniques and Strategies

Yards After the Catch

One important aspect of the dig route is maximizing yards after the catch (YAC). To do this, receivers must focus on catching the ball in stride and accelerating upfield after securing the catch. They can also improve YAC by identifying and avoiding defenders, which often requires agility and vision.

Change Direction

Receivers running a dig route can benefit from changing direction effectively. By incorporating sudden and sharp cuts into their route, they can create separation from defenders, increasing the likelihood of a successful reception. They should also maintain consistent speed to keep defenders on their toes throughout the play.

Double Moves

Adding double moves to the dig route can make it more difficult for defenders to predict the receiver’s path. By initially faking an out route or a hitch route before cutting inside, receivers can deceive defenders and create additional separation. Mastering these techniques takes practice and strong route-running skills.

High-Low Read

The high-low read is an essential component of the dig route. The quarterback evaluates the depth of the defensive coverage and determines whether to target the receiver running the dig route or the receiver running a shallow cross underneath. This forces defenders to choose between covering the deeper dig route or the shorter cross, thus creating space and opportunities for successful completions.

Deep Pass

Incorporating a deep pass with the dig route can add an extra dimension to the offense. While the traditional dig route targets areas between 10 and 15 yards, a deep dig route can extend up to 18 yards or more, adding the possibility of a big play. This deeper option challenges the defense vertically and can create opportunities for significant gains if executed effectively.