Playbooks

Bench Swirl-Return

Shotgun·Tight·11
MotionBenchPass Play
Play diagram for Bench Swirl-Return from Shotgun Tight in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

Bench Swirl-Return is a Shotgun Tight 11 personnel pass concept that attacks the field with a three level stretch on the right and a deep return route on the left. The backside TE releases outside then breaks back inside on a swirl route to sit in the void behind underneath defenders, while the frontside TE runs a corner route up the numbers and the outside WR runs a return route working from an out cut back to a deep comeback shape. The concept beats both man and zone coverage by clearing out underneath defenders with the corner route and creating natural separation with the swirl and return combo, and the primary read progression starts with the backside swirl for a quick answer against man before working to the frontside corner and return combo based on safety rotation.

Defensive Reads

Identify if the defense is playing two deep safeties before the snap, since this tells you whether the corner route will have a safety waiting over the top Watch the cornerback on the outside WR at the snap, if he sits at the line expecting the out portion of the return route he will be vulnerable to the double move back upfield Key on the flat defender or slot corner underneath, if he sinks with the swirl route it opens a throwing lane for the corner route behind him This concept struggles against a hard zone blitz that brings extra pressure to the frontside, since the corner route and return route both take time to develop Look for user controlled linebackers dropping into the swirl route area, since a smart user defender can sit on that route and bait a turnover if the quarterback stares it down too long

Usage Tips

Check the safety alignment before the snap to determine if you are getting a two high shell or a single high look, since the corner route on the frontside TE is the shot play against single high coverage

Use the swirl route as your rhythm throw against man coverage or blitz looks because it settles quickly underneath and gives you a safety valve if the corner route is covered

If you see man coverage on the outside WR running the return route, throw it early before the defender can undercut the out portion of the route

Pair this play with Bench and Bench Spray in the same set to keep the defense guessing on whether the backside TE will swirl underneath or work vertically

Best used on second or third and medium situations where the defense is more likely to sit in zone, since the return and corner combo stretches zone defenders vertically and horizontally at the same time

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