Playbooks

Slot Wheel

Shotgun·Doubles HB Wk·11

Wheel Pass Play

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 2 playbooks

Franchise College Pro OffenseOffense MUT KO Heavy Blitz OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Slot Wheel is a man beater out of Shotgun Doubles HB Wk that isolates the slot receiver on a wheel route against a linebacker or nickel defender, giving your quarterback a matchup to exploit down the sideline. The concept typically pairs the wheel with underneath crossers or drags from the other receivers, clearing out space and giving you a quick checkdown if the wheel is not open immediately. The primary read progression starts with the wheel route release, working outside to inside if the deep shot is covered, then working down to the underneath crossing routes and finally the running back as a safety valve.

Defensive Reads

Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap such as corners lined up tight on receivers with no visible zone spacing from linebackers, since this play struggles against a true zone shell with underneath defenders sitting on crossing routes. Check the safety alignment before the snap, a single high safety means the wheel route has a clean lane down the sideline while two deep safeties can rob the wheel if the corner gets a strong jam. Post snap, key on the linebacker or nickel assigned to the slot receiver, if he opens his hips and runs with the wheel you have a clean throwing lane, but if he sits and passes off coverage you are likely facing zone match principles that will bracket the route. Watch for a user controlled defender spying or lurking in the shallow flat area, since a smart defender can jump the underneath crosser and bait you into throwing before the wheel fully develops. This play gets shut down by press man with safety help over the top or by a Cover 3 buzz look where the flat defender widens quickly to take away the wheel before it stems vertical.

Usage Tips

Use this play when you see man coverage pre-snap, especially if a linebacker or slower nickel corner is lined up over the slot receiver since the wheel route is designed to win that leverage battle vertically. Motion the slot receiver before the snap if your version of the play allows it to confirm man coverage by watching the defender follow across the formation. Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or hitch if you are getting single high safety looks and need a faster outlet against a blitz. This play hits best on second and long or third and medium situations where the defense is more likely to play man across the board to take away underneath completions. Pair Slot Wheel with Double Post or Post Wheels earlier in a series so defenders start jumping wheel and post combos, then come back to this concept when you see the same look to hit the wheel route wide open against overcommitted safeties.