Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Bench is a three level route concept out of Shotgun Tight Slots HB Wk that stretches the field horizontally and vertically with two outside receivers running deep comebacks to the sideline and an inside receiver breaking underneath on a shallow out. The HB releases outside as a checkdown option running an outlet route to the flat opposite the underneath out, giving the quarterback a full field progression from deep to short. This is a zone beater at its core, using the two comeback routes to sit down in soft spots against off man or zone coverage while the shallow out and HB flat give you answers versus underneath drops. Primary read progression starts with the boundary comeback route, works to the field side comeback, and finishes with the underneath out or HB flat as the checkdown.
Defensive Reads
Read the cornerbacks at the snap: if they open their hips and run vertical with the outside receivers you have a layup on the comeback throw once they hit their top of stem break. Watch for zone defenders sinking hard on the snap, which signals Cover 3 or Cover 4 and tells you the comeback routes will have soft grass to sit in front of the deep defenders. If linebackers show heavy underneath drops toward the shallow out route, expect Cover 2 or Cover 4 zone matching that can jump the intermediate throw. User controlled defenders sitting in a lurk position near the underneath out route are the biggest threat to this concept, so check for that before committing to the shorter read. Man coverage with a deep safety shaded to one side can bait you into throwing the comeback into a trap corner, so confirm safety help before pulling the trigger on either outside route.
Usage Tips
Use Bench on second and long or third and medium when you expect off man or zone coverage since the comeback routes need a cushion to work. Check safety depth pre-snap: if both safeties are deep at 10 plus yards you have a great shot at the comeback routes sitting down in front of them. Hot route the underneath receiver into a speed out or option route if you see man coverage with no help underneath to give yourself a quicker rhythm throw. Pair Bench with Four Verticals or Post Wheel Drag from the same set so defenses cannot sit on the comeback timing once they see the initial route stems. Against aggressive zone blitz teams, use the HB outlet route as a built in answer and get the ball out fast before the extra rusher closes the pocket.
