Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 17 playbooks
Breakdown
Bench is a pass play out of Pistol Deuce Close (12 personnel) that attacks both sidelines with a double bench route concept. Both TEs release outside and break flat toward the boundary, while the inside slot receivers run vertical seams that stem into corner routes up top, and the fullback or extra blocker checks down the middle on a short route. This is primarily a zone beater, since the flat routes sit underneath cornerbacks and the corner routes stretch the deep zones vertically, creating a natural high low read on either side of the field. The primary progression starts with the backside corner route, works down to the flat, then flips to the frontside corner route if the coverage rotates away.
Defensive Reads
Watch for two deep safeties pre-snap, since Bench is designed to isolate cornerbacks on the corner routes without safety help over the top. If the defense shows Cover 3 with a single high safety, expect the flat defender to sink and the corner route on the opposite hash to have the best window. User controlled linebackers sitting in the middle hook zone can jump the checkdown route, so avoid forcing that throw against a defender clearly reading the quarterback. Cover 2 shells with hard corners can jump the flat routes early, so be ready to climb the ladder to the corner route instead of forcing the underneath throw. Man coverage with a deep half safety rotated to one side signals a blitz look, so get the ball out quickly to the flat on the side away from the rotation before pressure arrives.
Usage Tips
Look for two high safety shells pre-snap since Bench is built to stretch cornerbacks vertically while the flats occupy underneath defenders.
Use motion or a quick pre-snap read to identify which side has a single high safety, then key your first read to the corner route on that side.
Hot route the middle checkdown into a drag if you see man coverage with no natural window, since the two vertical corners take time to develop.
This play works best on second and long or third and medium since the corner routes need time to clear the cornerback's cushion.
Pair Bench with HB Stretch or PA Boot Y Leak in the same set to keep defenses honest, since those plays sell run action or boot the opposite way and set up the double corner shot afterward.
