Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
RPO Read Flat Wheel out of Pistol Tight Y Off Flex is a run pass option built off an inside handoff look with a three level pass tag attached. The diagram shows two outside receivers running vertical seams up the numbers, a slot receiver working a deep out breaking away from the formation, the backside X running a flat route toward the boundary, and the HB bubbling out of the backfield before turning it up into a wheel route. The QB reads the flat defender first: if that defender sits on the flat route, the wheel behind it is open, and if the box count favors the run, the QB hands off or pulls it based on the alignment of the second level defenders. This is a zone beater at its core, designed to attack flat defenders and hole players who can not cover both the flat and the wheel route stacked behind it.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a hard cheating flat defender or overhang player who squats immediately on the flat route, since that is the trigger for the wheel route to come open behind him. Check linebacker depth at the snap. Linebackers sitting shallow to jump the run read are vulnerable to the play action element built into the RPO. Cover 3 and Cover 2 shells with a flat zone defender are the primary coverages this beats because that defender has conflicting run and pass responsibilities. Man coverage with a slot corner locked on the HB out of the backfield can shut down the wheel route entirely, especially with safety help rotated over the top. A blitzing linebacker off the edge who is unaccounted for in the run scheme can blow up the give read, so track the alignment of second level blitzers before the snap to decide run versus pass.
Usage Tips
Presnap, count the box defenders before deciding whether to keep this as a run read or take the pass option immediately.
Look at the slot corner or overhang defender's depth. If he is sitting at five yards or less he is likely jumping the flat, which opens the wheel behind him.
Use the flat and wheel combo against zone shells like Cover 3 and Cover 4 where the flat defender has to choose between two threats.
Hot route the backside vertical receiver into a quick slant or drag if you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, since the base verticals are less effective against tight man leverage.
Pair this play with Cheat HB Zone or HB Zone from the same set to keep defenders honest on the run fit, then come back to this RPO once linebackers start cheating downhill.
Best called on early downs or in RPO friendly game states where the defense is playing base personnel and has not committed extra bodies to the box.
