Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 15 playbooks
Breakdown
RPO Read Flat Wheel out of Shotgun Deuce Close is a true run-pass option that gives the quarterback a pre-snap and post-snap conflict against the box defender. The backfield run action stays inside zone while the outside receiver runs a flat route into the wheel concept, with the inside receiver breaking on a corner-post read and the far side receiver working a deep dig. The primary read progression starts with the run key on the read defender, then flat to wheel if the flat defender crashes down or bites on the run fake, making this a strong zone and man beater depending on the leverage of the alley defender.
Defensive Reads
Watch the alley defender or curl to flat player pre-snap, if he sits too wide or too deep the quarterback will run the ball right at that vacated gap. Man coverage cornerbacks who jump the flat route early leave themselves exposed to the wheel route breaking vertically up the sideline for a big play. Zone shells with a linebacker sinking into the flat kill the pass option, forcing the read to stay on the ground game. Watch for a user-controlled defender lurking underneath the wheel route since a good user can undercut the route and bait the quarterback into a turnover. Off-ball linebackers who bite hard on run action every time create the exact conflict this RPO wants, so disciplined linebacker eye control is the key counter.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify the alley or force defender over the flat route because his run fit dictates whether you pull and throw or hand the ball off.
Against single high shells with an aggressive linebacker crashing downhill, pull the ball and hit the flat route immediately before the wheel defender can carry vertically.
Use the wheel route as your explosive shot play against man coverage when the cornerback bites on the flat fake and loses the receiver up the sideline.
Mix this play with RPO Read Cntr and RPO Read Mtn Stick from the same set so the defense cannot key run fits off formation tendency alone.
Best called on second and short or first down to keep both run and pass equally live, forcing linebackers to respect the give every snap.
