Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Shock HB Wheel is a play-action style dropback concept out of the Bunch Spread Nasty look that attacks the flat and the seam with a wheel route out of the backfield. The bunch receivers run a deep clear-out to the boundary and a corner route from the inside slot, while the tight end runs a flat route that sits underneath, and the outside receiver to the field runs a deep in to occupy the middle of the field. The HB releases out of the backfield on the wheel, working from the flat up the sideline, giving the quarterback a layered read from the flat to the wheel to the corner. This is a man beater at its core, designed to exploit linebackers or safeties who try to man up the HB out of the backfield, since the wheel route naturally creates separation against man coverage leverage.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether a linebacker or slot defender is aligned tight over the HB, since that signals man coverage and a green light for the wheel route. Key the free safety depth at the snap. If he rotates hard to the field side deep in route, the wheel to the boundary side is likely one on one against a linebacker with no help over the top. Watch for a user-controlled defender sitting on the flat route, since that usually means the wheel behind it is left uncovered if the defense is playing man principles. Zone coverage with a hard flat defender and a deep half safety can undercut both the flat and wheel, so if you see two deep safeties and outside corners squatting, look to the deep in route as the primary answer instead. Be alert for blitz packages sending extra rushers off the edge, since the HB stays in to release on the wheel late, so a fast setting edge blitz can beat the protection before the wheel route develops.
Usage Tips
Use this play when you diagnose man coverage pre-snap, especially if you see a linebacker or slot corner walked up over the HB alignment, since the wheel route is a true man beater.
Check the corner and safety depth before the snap. If the corner to the bunch side is playing tight or pressing, the wheel has a much higher chance of springing wide open on a blown assignment or pick.
Hot route the deep in route to a hitch or slant if you see zone coverage sitting soft underneath, since the deep in can get squeezed by a robber or hook defender in zone shells.
Pair this play with Orbit Fork Whip or Mtn HB Corner in the same set to keep the defense guessing on HB routes out of the backfield, forcing linebackers to hesitate on wheel and flat combos.
Best called on early downs or third and medium when you expect man coverage or blitz looks, since the flat route underneath gives a built-in checkdown if the wheel is covered.
