Playbooks

Return RPO Read Flat Wheel

Shotgun·Deuce Close·12
RPOFlatWheelMotionPass PlayRun Play
Play diagram for Return RPO Read Flat Wheel from Shotgun Deuce Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

Return RPO Read Flat Wheel is an RPO out of Shotgun Deuce Close 12 personnel that pairs a backside inline run action with a three level route concept to the play side. The diagram shows the outside receiver breaking to the flat, the tight end climbing to a corner route stemming outside vertical, and the running back releasing on a wheel route up the sideline behind them while a shallow drag crosses underneath from the backside. The primary read progression starts with the run key on the defensive end or force player, then works to the flat defender: if he sits or crashes down the wheel is open behind him, if he widens with the flat route the quarterback comes back down to the flat or the shallow drag underneath.

Defensive Reads

Watch the flat defender at the snap, if he stays flat footed reading run the wheel route will run right past him for a big gain. Identify single high versus two high shells before the snap, single high safeties often mean the box is loaded for the run key while two high shells favor the pass side of the RPO. Man coverage on the running back is the wheel route trigger, if the defense shows man match or Cover 1 with a linebacker matched on the back, take the pass and let the wheel win vertically. Zone coverage with a hard flat drop and deep cover 3 rotation can take away both the flat route and the wheel, forcing the quarterback down to the shallow drag as the checkdown. Fast flowing linebackers who key the run action immediately open up cutback lanes underneath the wheel and flat combo, so respect aggressive run blitzes by staying on the pass side of the RPO.

Usage Tips

Check the box count before the snap and give the ball on the RPO read if the run fits are light or the second level defender bites on the run action.

Key the flat defender and the force player, if either widens to the flat or crashes hard on the run fake the wheel route behind them is your explosive shot.

Use this on early downs to keep defenses honest against both the run and pass, then dial up straight Inside Zone or Outside Zone from this same set once linebackers start sitting on the RPO.

Motion or hurry the snap count to prevent defenses from diagnosing the run versus pass tag, since the read window closes quickly against disciplined linebackers.

Pair this with Mtn RPO Zone Stick or RPO Counter Stick from the same set to keep the same run action but change the route picture, forcing defenders to guess between concepts.

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