NFL Passing Concepts: Short In, Levels Concept

This article will look at the 2 man levels concept you see in the NFL. Some people call it shin as you get a short in and dig on the same side. You can tag a few different variations on the

The Route

The 2 man route concept is simple:
Outside WR: Short In at 6-8 yards
Inside WR: Dig at 12-14 yards(tries to work for an outside release)

The Read

The read is the in to the dig off the alley defender. If you don’t like it reset to the RB. Vs. Man work the in to the dig.

Let’s look at some examples vs different coverage’s as the play has answers vs each one.

Vs Zone

Peyton Manning made a living with this play so it’s always good to start with some of his clips. In the 1st example, you see him read the alley defender and throw the ball to the outside WR.

Read the alley defender, he sits so throw the in.

Ball is out and a nice easy completion.

Vs Cover 2

The Bills hit the Dig vs cover 2 as the alley/curl player widens to play the short in. As that happens, the ball is out on the nice completion.

Film!

Man Concepts

Vs Cover 1

The Chargers run it on 3rd and 7 vs the Ravens who are in cover 1

Here’s the routes on both sides.

Film:

The Buffalo Bills run the play as well.

A 2nd example vs man. They hit the short in pattern.

Diggs gets the DB to turn his hips which opens up the in route.

Reset to the RB Component

When you don’t have the Short in the last component is to check it down to the RB.

You will see 2 checkdowns in the clips below. The dig and short in aren’t there so you throw the checkdown to the RB.

Some additional Clips vs Zone and Man

I hope you enjoyed this analysis of the short in-shin concept.