Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Empty Spot Wheel is an empty backfield concept out of Bunch X Nasty that pairs a bunch side spot combination with an isolated wheel route from the flexed slot receiver. The lone receiver on the closed side runs a corner route stemming vertically off the numbers while the bunch releases into a flat route, an out route, and a deep vertical clear route to stretch the field horizontally and vertically. The wheel route out of the bunch is the primary read against man coverage, with the underneath flat and out serving as the check down options versus zone drops, making this a true man beater built to isolate a linebacker or safety on the wheel.
Defensive Reads
Key the linebacker or nickel defender aligned over the bunch formation, if he shows man technique and runs with the wheel receiver vertically the offense has a favorable one on one matchup. Watch for a deep half safety rotating over the top pre-snap, this indicates Cover 2 or Cover 4 and signals the user should sink and rob the wheel route from a deep zone drop. In Cover 3, the flat defender must widen quickly to disrupt the underneath flat route without letting the wheel slip past him vertically, a slow flat drop opens the entire concept. Blitz packages that bring pressure off the closed side can force a quick throw before the wheel fully develops, so an aggressive edge rush or nano blitz can shut this play down before the route stems vertically. User controlling a linebacker to sit in the shallow hole and read the quarterback's eyes will bait the throw to the spot concept and take away the easy checkdown, forcing a risky window throw to the wheel.
Usage Tips
Identify man coverage pre-snap by checking if a linebacker or slot corner is shaded over the bunch receiver assigned to the wheel, since this route dies against sound zone shells with a deep half safety.
Use motion or a hot route to clear out the underneath flat defender if you see Cover 3 or Cover 4, allowing the spot concept to settle into the void.
This play excels on second and long or third and medium when defenses expect a quick game throw and instead get hit over the top on the wheel.
Pair this call with Mesh Spot or Quick Empty Flats Stick from the same set to keep the defense guessing between quick spot concepts and the delayed wheel shot.
If the defense adjusts by bracketing the wheel with a safety, switch to Mtn Y Corner Under or Return Whip Trail Corner to attack the vacated underneath zones.
