Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Fake Screen Wheel is a play-action screen play out of Y Off Trips Pistol that disguises a wheel route as a bubble screen look. The trips receiver at the top of the diagram fakes the screen motion behind the line before wheeling vertically up the sideline, while the backside X runs a straight vertical route to stretch the field on the opposite hash. The play design baits underneath defenders and linebackers into jumping the screen fake, leaving the wheel route defender isolated in space. Primary read progression starts with the wheel route out of the screen fake, then works to the backside vertical if the wheel is blanketed.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing man coverage with a corner or nickel matched on the trips side, since man coverage defenders who bite on the screen fake get beat over the top by the wheel. Watch linebacker depth and flow, if the second level defenders crash hard toward the line of scrimmage on the fake, the wheel route has a clean release up the sideline. Post-snap, key any user-controlled defender who jumps the screen action immediately, that is the tell that the wheel will be wide open behind him. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with a deep half or deep third defender sitting outside can shut down the wheel by staying disciplined and not biting on the fake. Zone defenses with a linebacker spying the screen and a safety rotating over the top take away both the wheel and the backside vertical, forcing a checkdown or scramble.
Usage Tips
Look for aggressive linebackers or slot corners who bite hard on screen action pre-snap, since this play is built to punish defenders keying on RB or WR screens. Best used on early downs or after you have shown actual screen plays like HB Slip Screen or HB Slam Alert Smoke to condition the defense into flowing toward the fake. Use it against man coverage or Cover 3 where the underneath defender responsible for the flat is likely to crash on the screen fake rather than staying with the wheel. If the defense shows Cover 2 or Cover 4 with safeties sitting deep outside, be ready to check to the backside vertical route instead of forcing the wheel into double coverage. Sequence this play after establishing tempo with quick game concepts so linebackers get comfortable jumping short routes, then hit them with the wheel for an explosive play.
