Playbooks

Post Wheel Shallow

Shotgun·Empty Ace·12

Post Wheel Shallow Cross Pass Play

Play diagram for Post Wheel Shallow from Shotgun Empty Ace in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetEmpty Ace

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

In 9 playbooks

Jets OffenseOffense Shotgun OffenseOffense Sim Focusedtargeting Ba OffenseOffense Sim Focusedtargeting Ph OffenseOffense Sim Focusedtargeting Rn OffenseOffense Sim Volumedistribution Ba OffenseOffense Sim Volumedistribution Ph OffenseOffense Sim Volumedistribution Rn OffenseOffense NFL Live Jets OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Post Wheel Shallow is an empty backfield concept out of Shotgun Empty Ace that stresses the defense with three distinct route depths on the play side. The outside receiver runs a post to attack the middle of the field, the inside slot receiver breaks off a wheel route up the sideline after selling a flat look, and the tight end works a shallow cross underneath from the opposite side to clear space and give the quarterback a quick outlet. With no running back in the backfield, this is a pure man beater designed to create natural rub and pick action, forcing man defenders to fight through traffic while the post and wheel combo attacks both underneath and deep zones if the defense plays coverage. The primary read progression starts with the shallow cross for a quick, safe completion, then works to the post if the middle opens up, and finally to the wheel route as the deep shot if the cornerback bites on the underneath action.

Defensive Reads

Watch the cornerback aligned over the slot receiver running the wheel route, if he sinks or bites on the shallow cross that is your signal to attack deep down the sideline. Key the middle linebacker or robber defender in zone coverage, if he drops too far outside to cover the shallow cross, the post route behind him becomes an easy throwing window. Man coverage with no safety help over the top is the biggest vulnerability for this defense since the wheel route can beat both the flat defender and trailing corner off the natural pick. Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with safeties sitting deep can take away the post and wheel, forcing the quarterback to live underneath with the shallow cross. Watch for a user controlled defender lurking near the shallow cross route, since a rat in the middle of the field or spy can jump this throw if the quarterback stares it down too long.

Usage Tips

Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing man or zone by checking corner depth and safety rotation over the slot receiver running the wheel.

If you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, prioritize the wheel route immediately since the natural rub from the shallow crosser often creates separation against man defenders.

Against zone shells, lean on the shallow cross as your first read to move the chains, then progress to the post if a linebacker or safety vacates the middle of the field.

This play works best on second and medium or third and short since the shallow cross offers a safe checkdown while the post and wheel give explosive play upside.

Pair this play with Curl Flats or Stick earlier in a drive to set up defenders expecting quick, shallow throws, then hit them with the wheel route for a big play once they start jumping underneath routes.