Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Bench Swirl is a boundary-clearing dropback pass out of Shotgun Tight Slots HB Wk that combines two vertical bench routes with an underneath swirl (angle) route out of the backfield. Both outside receivers stem toward the sideline before breaking upfield on bench routes, clearing the flats and occupying corners and safeties, while the running back releases from the backfield on a swirl route that sits down in the vacated underneath space. This is primarily a zone beater built to attack cover 2 and cover 3 shells by stretching the flat defenders vertically and settling the back into the soft spot underneath, with the primary read progression starting at the swirl route out of the backfield before working out to either bench route based on leverage.
Defensive Reads
Read the flat defenders at the snap, if they carry the bench routes vertically without passing them off, the swirl route will be wide open underneath. Identify cover 2 shells pre-snap by safety depth, since the corners will squat on the flat and let the bench routes go over the top, forcing you to trust the swirl route as the primary answer. Watch for user-controlled linebackers spying the swirl route out of the backfield, as a good user player will sit on this route and jump the throw if the quarterback stares it down. Versus man coverage, key the slot corner or linebacker matched on the running back, if there is a favorable matchup the swirl route becomes an easy pitch and catch, but if a fast linebacker mirrors the back, look to the bench routes on an island against corners. Beware of overload blitzes off the edge, since the bench routes take time to develop and can leave the quarterback exposed if protection breaks down before the swirl route clears the line.
Usage Tips
Check the pre-snap leverage of the flat defenders and slot corners before the snap, since Bench Swirl thrives when those defenders are aligned tight to the line expecting a quick throw.
Use the swirl route as your hot route answer versus blitz because it releases quickly and settles in the throwing lane before pressure arrives.
Against cover 3 shells, work the backside bench route since the flat defender to that side often has to choose between the deep bench and any vertical threat, opening a throwing window.
Pair this play with RPO Peek Slant and RPO Zone Peek earlier in a series so the defense respects the quick game, then dial up Bench Swirl to hit the swirl route as defenders sit on short routes.
Best called on second and medium or third and short to medium, since the swirl route gives a high-percentage completion while the bench routes act as clear-outs for chunk yardage if the defense bites on the underneath route.
