Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Shark HB Wheel out of Shotgun Doubles Y-Flex sends the HB out of the backfield on a wheel route up the sideline while the outside receiver on that side clears out vertically, creating a natural high low stretch on the flat defender and deep half corner. On the backside, the two receivers run an in and out combo with one sitting on a deep cross underneath and the other running a shallow drag back across the field, giving you a horizontal stretch away from the wheel side. This is primarily a man beater since the wheel route is designed to isolate the HB against a linebacker or slower defender who cannot stay on top of the vertical break, and the primary read progression starts with the HB wheel, then works to the backside drag if the wheel is covered.
Defensive Reads
Man coverage on the HB out of the backfield is the biggest green light, especially if a linebacker or slower slot defender is matched up. Watch for a cornerback sitting deep outside pre-snap, since that usually signals a defender is spying the wheel or providing deep help over the top. If the defense shows two deep safeties with the corner playing off, the wheel will take longer to win and you should progress quickly to the backside drag. User controlled lurk defenders sitting in the intermediate flat zone can jump the wheel route early, so read their leverage before releasing the throw. Zone blitzes with a linebacker dropping into the flat can undercut the wheel route timing, so check the drag route as your outlet if you see pressure off the edge.
Usage Tips
Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap like a linebacker walked up over the HB or a single high safety shell before committing to the wheel route.
Motion the HB before the snap if your version of the playbook allows it to get a clean coverage read on who is responsible for him out of the backfield.
Use the backside drag as your checkdown against zone heavy defenses since the wheel route takes longer to develop and zone defenders will sink under it.
Pair this play with Charger Cross or Charger Seams in the same set to keep the defense honest, since both rely on similar vertical stretch concepts that punish linebackers dropping late.
Best called on second or third and medium when you expect man coverage, since it forces a linebacker or nickel defender into a foot race down the sideline.
