Playbooks
Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.
| Player | Side | Route |
|---|---|---|
| HB1 | Left | Wheel |
| SLWR | Right | Hitch |
| WR1 | Left | Hitch |
| WR2 | Right | Hitch |
| TE1 | Right | Smash |
Spacing HB Wheel combines a horizontal spacing concept from the receivers and tight end with a wheel route out of the backfield from the HB, creating a natural man beater against man coverage and a solid answer to zone drops as well. The spacing routes (hitches, quick outs, and a flat route) sit down at different levels to stress underneath zone defenders and give you easy void throws, while the HB wheel attacks vertically up the sideline once he clears the box, exploiting linebackers or safeties who bite on the shorter spacing routes. Your primary read starts with the HB wheel if you see man coverage with a linebacker matched up, then progresses to the spacing routes underneath if the wheel is covered or the defense is sitting in zone.
Identify pre snap whether a linebacker or slot corner is aligned over the HB, since that indicates man coverage and a green light for the wheel route. Watch for safety rotation post snap, if a deep safety rotates over to help on the wheel, the spacing routes underneath should be open for easy completions. Man match and Cover 1 or Cover 3 man shells with linebackers in man coverage are the most vulnerable to this play because they lack the athleticism to stay with the HB on the wheel. Cover 2 or Cover 4 zone shells with disciplined underneath defenders can shut this down if the flat defender sinks and picks up the wheel route in his zone drop. Watch for a user controlled defender lurking near the flat or spy assignment, since a smart user can jump the wheel route or undercut the spacing concept if they read your eyes early.
Check pre snap for man coverage indicators like a linebacker or safety shaded toward the HB alignment, since that is your cue to take the wheel route immediately after the snap.
Use motion or a quick glance at the HB before the snap to confirm whether the defense shifts a defender to follow him, which tells you man versus zone before the ball is even snapped.
Against zone shells, work the spacing concept from outside in, hitting the flat and hitch routes on time instead of forcing the wheel into a deep zone defender.
This play pairs well with Curls or Quick Unders from the same set since both look identical pre snap but attack different levels, keeping defenders honest and preventing them from jumping the spacing routes.
Best used on second and medium or third and long when you need a explosive man beater shot play disguised as a quick game concept, since defenses often play softer zone shells in those situations and get caught if they bust into man.