Playbooks

Post Wheels

Shotgun·Doubles HB Wk·11

Post Wheel Pass Play Option Route In

Likely unavailable in the playbook builder

This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Diagram coming soon

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetDoubles HB Wk

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Elites OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Post Wheels out of Shotgun Doubles HB Wk attacks the seam and sideline vertically with a post route from the outside receiver and a wheel route from the halfback releasing out of the backfield. This is primarily a man beater, designed to exploit man coverage on the running back since linebackers and slower defenders struggle to stay on top of the wheel once the HB turns it up the sideline. The primary read progression starts with the post route against single high safety looks, then works to the HB wheel as the check down against man coverage or when the middle of the field is capped.

Defensive Reads

Check the safety alignment pre-snap, single high shells favor the post route while two high shells force you to work the wheel or move the chains underneath. Identify the defender lined up over the HB immediately after the snap, if it is a linebacker with no help over the top the wheel is a guaranteed win once he clears the box. Watch for user controlled defenders sitting in a low hole or lurking near the flat, since a smart user can jump the wheel route if he reads it early. Look for Cover 3 sky or Cover 4 shells, both of these zone coverages have a defender that can cheat over the top of the wheel and squeeze the throwing window. Recognize disguised blitzes pre-snap by checking linebacker depth, if they are stacked tight to the line the wheel route may not develop in time before the quarterback needs to throw, so plan a quick alert route or use a hot route to counter.

Usage Tips

Motion the HB pre-snap or check the defender aligned over him to confirm man coverage before the snap, since this play lives and dies on winning that matchup. If you see two high safeties, prioritize the post route into the honey hole between the safeties rather than forcing the wheel. Hot route the underneath crosser or slot option into a shallow drag if you are getting immediate pressure, giving yourself a quick outlet against blitz looks. Use this play on second and medium or third and long once you have set up the defense with quick game like RPO Peek Slant or Double Slants, since defenders will start jumping short routes and open up the wheel. Pair Post Wheels with HB Delay in your play calling sequence to condition linebackers to sit on backfield action, making the wheel route hit even bigger later in the game.