Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Post Wheel Shallow comes out of Shotgun Bunch X Nasty with 11 personnel, isolating a lone receiver on the backside running a shallow drag across the field while the bunch releases three vertical stems. From the bunch, one receiver runs a wheel route up the sideline, another breaks into a post over the middle, and the tight end works a short pivot in the flat. The backside receiver clears low underneath, giving the QB a three level read from shallow to intermediate post to deep wheel, with the running back staying in to help protect against the edge rush.
Defensive Reads
Watch for Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells since the wheel route is designed to attack a cornerback who has to sink and turn late. Man coverage on the bunch is where this play wins most, especially if the defense lacks a linebacker who can carry the wheel route vertically. Zone defenses with underneath robber or lurk defenders can jump the shallow cross, so the QB has to read the flow of the linebackers before checking down. Blitz packages that bring pressure off the edge opposite the bunch can be an issue since only the running back stays in to help, so identify overload blitzes pre-snap. If the safety rotates down to help on the post route immediately at the snap, the offense should expect a two high shell disguising a Cover 2 or Cover 6 look.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check for a single high safety since the post route will split the middle of the field if the safety bites on the wheel or shallow.
Use motion or a hot route on the flat defender's tight end pivot to hold linebackers if you see man coverage on the bunch.
This play hits hardest on 2nd and medium to long since the shallow cross can pick up first down yardage against zone drops while the post and wheel stress deep coverage.
Pair this call with Double Outs or Mtn Speed Dig Under from the same set so the defense sees the same bunch alignment but has to respect both quick game and vertical shots.
If the user drops a defender to shadow the wheel route, come off it early and work the shallow to post progression instead of forcing the sideline throw.
