Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Middle | Block and Release Hook |
| FB1 | Left | Short Out |
| WR1 | Left | Corner |
| WR2 | Right | Corner |
| TE1 | Right | Out |
Bench out of Singleback Deuce Close Tilt is a "bench" route concept designed as a man beater, using a corner or bench route from the outside receiver combined with underneath crossers to stress a defender playing tight man coverage. The tight ends and second back in the 21 personnel grouping create natural rub and pick opportunities against man defenders while the backside route serves as a hot route conversion vs zone. Primary read progression starts with the bench/corner route to the boundary, then works to the underneath crosser or flat option if the corner route is blanketed, finishing with the checkdown to the back out of the backfield.
Read the corner's press alignment pre-snap since tight press man invites a quick throw before the bench route stems outside, while soft man or off coverage means you should let the route fully develop. Key the safety rotation after the snap, a single high safety rocking to the play side signals Cover 3 or Cover 1 and tells you to expect help over the top on the bench route. Watch for a user controlled defender flashing down into the flat or crosser lane, that lurk threat is the primary danger against this route combo and should push your eyes to the opposite side concept. Nickel or 3-4 fronts that show blitz off the edge will collapse the pocket before the bench route breaks, so check the protection and consider a quick hot route to the flat if the mike linebacker shows blitz depth pre-snap. Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties are the toughest matchup for this concept since the corner has help over the top on the bench route, forcing you to live underneath.
Motion the closed TE or the second back pre-snap to identify if the defense is playing man or zone based on whether a defender follows across the formation. Against man coverage, trust the bench route win on an island and layer the throw high and outside away from the trailing corner. Against zone shells, work the underneath crosser as your primary since the bench route will get squeezed by the deep half or deep third defender. This play hits best on second and medium to third and short since the route combo needs a beat to develop before the bench route breaks outside. Pair this with HB Dive or Mtn Zone Toss from the same set to keep the defense honest on early downs, then come back to Bench once you have shown run tendencies from the Deuce Close Tilt personnel.