Playbooks

Shark HB Wheel

Shotgun·Doubles Y-Flex·11

Wheel Pass Play

Play diagram for Shark HB Wheel from Shotgun Doubles Y-Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetDoubles Y-Flex

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 4 playbooks

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Breakdown

Shark HB Wheel is a play-action style pass concept out of Shotgun Doubles Y-Flex that isolates the HB on a wheel route out of the backfield. The HB releases outside and up the sideline on the wheel (red route) while the two outside receivers clear space with deep crossers and the slot runs an inside out route to hold linebackers and underneath defenders. The X receiver on the line stays in to chip block before releasing late, giving the wheel time to develop against man coverage. Primary read progression starts with the HB wheel against man to man matchups on linebackers or slower defenders, then works to the deep crossing routes if the wheel is taken away, and finally checks down to the underneath out route.

Defensive Reads

Identify if the defense is in man coverage pre snap by checking if a linebacker or slot corner is lined up over the HB, this is the biggest tell that the wheel route will win. Watch for a single high safety shell, this often means man underneath which sets up the wheel route to beat the linebacker vertically down the sideline. Post snap, key on the flow of the linebacker assigned to the HB, if he bites on the initial flat fake or gets picked by traffic near the line, the wheel is wide open for an explosive gain. Beware of zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4 where a cornerback or safety can sink and rob the wheel route from a deep zone drop, this is the primary counter to this concept. Look for user controlled defenders lurking in the middle of the field who can jump the deep crossing routes, if the user commits to the crossers, the wheel route against a zone dropping linebacker becomes the higher value target.

Usage Tips

Use this play when you diagnose man coverage pre snap since the wheel route is designed to exploit linebackers or slow nickel defenders trying to cover the HB out of the backfield.

Look for blitz indicators such as linebackers creeping toward the line, if you see a nano blitz threat, get the ball out fast on the underneath out route or motion the HB to check protection.

Hot route the X receiver to a quick hitch or slant if the defense shows single high safety and the corner is playing off, this gives you a quick answer without abandoning the wheel concept.

Pair this play with Charger Cross or Fl Drive in the same set to keep defenses guessing between deep crossing shots and the wheel isolation, this sets up defenders to bite on crossers and get burned by the wheel later in the game.

Best used on early downs or in man coverage situations like third and medium, avoid calling it against zone heavy defenses since the wheel loses its main advantage without a true man matchup.