Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn Bench out of Shotgun Spread Y-Flex Wk sends the motion man (X) into a shallow arrow route toward the sideline while the two inside receivers run a stacked speed out and vertical seam combo on the left side. On the right, the TE and outside receiver run a bench concept, with the outside man breaking vertical up the numbers on a corner/go route and the TE sitting on a quick flat/out underneath him, creating a natural high low stretch on that side. This is a man beater built around the bench (flat and go) combo to isolate a defender on the right, with the left side clearing out space to attack zone leverage. The primary read progression starts with the TE flat route as the underneath outlet, then works to the outside vertical on the bench side if the cornerback bites, before checking back across the field to the seam or arrow route on the left.
Defensive Reads
Watch the cornerback over the bench side receiver at the snap, if he presses and turns his hips to run vertically it is likely man coverage and the go route has a one on one shot. Check the flat defender's depth before the snap, a linebacker sitting shallow in the flat zone signals zone coverage and should push your read to the TE's quick out or the seam route on the left. Look for a safety rotating late over the bench side vertical route, which indicates a two high shell shifting to cover three or a robber concept designed to take away the deep shot. Identify blitz packages pre-snap by counting box defenders, since a six man box with no extra deep safety help often means the flat route or the seam on the left will be open quickly against blitz pressure. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the ideal shell for this play, while a hard zone shell with underneath defenders sitting on the flat and a safety over the top of the bench route shuts down both primary reads and forces the checkdown to the left side arrow.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone by watching if a defender follows the motion man across the formation.
This play shines on third and medium to long because the flat route gives a safe checkdown while the vertical bench route on the outside can hit for an explosive gain against man coverage.
Hot route the TE to a quicker out if you see a linebacker sitting in the flat zone, since that removes his ability to jump the route.
Pair this play with Mtn Bench Curls or Mtn X Replace in the same set to keep defenders guessing between flat breaking routes and deeper curl or replacement concepts off similar motion and formation.
Against aggressive corners who like to jump routes, look immediately to the bench side vertical since a jumped flat route opens up the go route for a big play down the sideline.
