Playbooks

Bench

Pistol·Deuce Close·12

Bench Pass Play

Play diagram for Bench from Pistol Deuce Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationPistol

SetDeuce Close

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

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Breakdown

Bench out of Pistol Deuce Close is a classic double out concept that attacks the flats and sideline underneath zone defenders. Both outside receivers or TEs run vertical stems before breaking hard outside into deep out routes, while the two inside receivers sit down and run shallow out routes to the flat, creating a high low stretch on the corners and flat defenders on each side. The lone deep route (red) climbs vertically up the numbers to hold the safety, and with only a single deep threat this play leans on the double out combo as a zone beater against Cover 3 and Cover 2 shells. The primary read progression starts with the flat route defender: if he sits, hit the shallow out; if he widens or sinks, work the deep out on the same side.

Defensive Reads

Read the flat defender first, if he stays flat footed underneath the shallow out, throw over his head to the deep out on the sideline. Watch the corner depth at the snap, a corner sinking into a deep third signals Cover 3 and tells you the shallow out is open all the way. Key the strong safety or nickel defender on the vertical route side, if he clicks and closes on the vertical, the underneath outs are wide open behind him. Beware of Cover 2 corners jamming the shallow out at the line, since press corners can disrupt timing and force a late progression to the deep out. Watch for a delayed blitz off the edge, the single deep route means protection can get thin if the offense sends extra help, so check for a lurking linebacker sitting on the shallow out route.

Usage Tips

Pre-snap, identify whether the corners are playing off or press since the deep out needs a soft corner to work against a hard squeeze on the boundary.

Look for two high safeties before the snap, this concept is designed to punish Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells that leave the flat defender in conflict.

Use the deep vertical route on the strong side as a clock killer against Cover 3 to hold the free safety and open up the double out combo underneath.

Hot route the inside out route into a quick flat or option route if you see man coverage across the board, since natural picks can occur against tight man technique.

Pair this play with Mtn PA Flood or PA Z Over in the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick game outs and deeper play-action shots off similar formation looks.