Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 13 playbooks
Breakdown
Bench HB Angle out of Shotgun Doubles Hip shows a five man route concept with the HB releasing out of the backfield on an angle route, working from the middle of the field out toward the sideline to attack space vacated by inside linebackers. On the boundary side, one receiver runs a deep bench route (comeback breaking hard to the sideline) while the other stays vertical up the seam before breaking into a deep crosser that clears the middle for the angle route underneath. This is a man beater built around the HB angle route creating natural leverage against linebackers in man coverage, with the crossing routes creating traffic and rub potential.
Defensive Reads
Check linebacker depth before the snap, since shallow linebackers sitting at five yards or less can jump the HB angle route and blow up the primary read. Watch for man coverage indicators like defenders shading inside or outside receivers with no help over the top, which signals the angle route and deep crosser combo should work. Against zone shells, especially Cover 3 or Cover 4, the deep bench route can get squeezed by the flat defender and corner, so look for the crosser settling into the void behind underneath zones instead. Identify blitz packages by counting box defenders, since a five or six man rush with man coverage behind it leaves the HB angle route wide open in space against a blitzing linebacker. Lurk threats from a Mike linebacker sitting in a shallow zone or spy technique can undercut the angle route, so be ready to reset to the deep crosser if that throwing lane closes.
Usage Tips
Target the HB angle route as your first read against man coverage, especially when a linebacker is matched up on your back. Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the second level defenders to confirm man coverage before snapping, since this concept struggles more against sound zone drops. Hot route the bench route receiver to a quick out or hitch if you see a hard corner playing tight bail technique, giving you a faster boundary option. Pair this play with Levels or Flood Drive in the same set to keep defenses guessing between quick underneath angle throws and deeper level breaking concepts. Use this on second and medium or third and short distances where the angle route can pick up the sticks quickly against blitz heavy man looks.
