Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Shark HB Wheel out of Shotgun Doubles Offset lines up with the HB in the backfield running the signature wheel route, releasing outside then vertically up the sideline for the shot play. The TE runs a corner-post breaking toward the opposite hash while the two receivers to that side run a deep out and a short comeback stacked underneath, and the backside X runs a deep in cutting across the field. This is a man beater built off HB wheel leverage against linebackers, with the crossing in route serving as a zone beater over the middle if the wheel is capped, and the primary read progresses from the HB wheel first to the deep crossing route second.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if a linebacker or nickel defender is aligned tight to the HB with outside leverage, which signals man coverage and a green light for the wheel. Watch the strong safety depth at the snap since a two-high shell that stays balanced can rotate down and undercut the wheel route before it clears the numbers. Track the underneath linebackers after the snap, because if they sink into the deep in route lane they can jump the crossing route and force you back to the wheel late. This play struggles against man coverage with a deep safety help over the top, since a defender with a bail technique can trail the HB wheel step for step. Look for a nickel or slot corner cheating inside pre-snap, as that alignment often signals a zone drop that leaves the wheel isolated on a slower linebacker in the seam.
Usage Tips
Motion or check pre-snap for man coverage by watching if a linebacker widens with the HB before the snap, since that confirms the wheel will win against man defenders.
Use the deep in route as your checkdown progression if the safety rotates over the top of the wheel, especially versus zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4.
Hot route the underneath comeback into a quick flat or slant if you see a blitz look, giving yourself a fast outlet before the wheel develops.
Call this on early downs or after establishing HB Draw and Inside Zone from this set, since defenders that key run flow will bite on the HB release and open up the wheel.
Pair this with Fake Screen Wheel in the same set to condition linebackers into sitting on the HB, then hit them with the real wheel for a big play once they overcommit.
