Playbooks

RPO Read Flat Wheel

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

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

RPO Read Flat Wheel out of Shotgun Deuce Close is a run pass option built around a wheel route from the boundary receiver, a flat route underneath, a deep out breaking outside, and a corner post working over the top. The offensive line shows an inside zone run blocking scheme up front while the QB reads the flat defender and second level defenders to decide between handing the ball off or pulling and throwing off the run action. This is a coverage beater play that stresses flat defenders and overlapping zone drops, with the primary read being the flat to wheel combo on the boundary before the QB works to the deep out and post crossers if the run key and flat defender squeeze down on the run action.

Defensive Reads

Watch the flat defender's initial step at the snap, if he sinks or widens to cover the flat route, the wheel behind him is live and should be your primary throw read. Check the second level linebacker depth pre-snap, a linebacker sitting shallow or cheating toward the run action signals a favorable box count to hand the ball off on the RPO read. Man coverage on the outside receiver running the deep out is vulnerable if the corner is playing off, since the route breaks outside quickly for an easy pitch and catch. Zone coverage with two deep safeties can bracket the wheel route, so if you see a two high shell post-snap rotate your eyes to the deep out and post crosser working the middle of the field. User controlled defenders lurking in the flat or wheel lane will jump this concept quickly, so respect any user movement toward the sideline before committing to the wheel throw.

Usage Tips

Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing a run blitz or a soft shell, since a light box with a single high safety is the green light to pull and throw the wheel route immediately.

Use the flat route as your true first read, if the flat defender crashes down on the run fake or widens too aggressively, the wheel route behind him is wide open for an explosive gain.

Against man coverage, the wheel route is a legit man beater versus linebackers and slower corners who cannot stay on top of the vertical break, so trust the arm and throw with anticipation.

Mix this play with RPO Read Y Jab Flat and RPO Peek Stick to keep defenders guessing between flat, stick, and wheel concepts out of the same personnel and formation look.

Use this play on early downs to stay ahead of the sticks, since the built in run option keeps the defense honest and punishes overaggressive linebacker fits.

Other Plays in Deuce Close