Playbooks

Wheel Cross

Shotgun·Empty Base Trio·11

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

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Breakdown

Wheel Cross is a man beater out of the Shotgun Empty Base Trio set, using an empty backfield to isolate the running back on a wheel route against a linebacker or nickel defender while a crossing route works underneath to clear space and provide a rhythm throw. The wheel is the primary read, especially versus man coverage or any blitz look where the RB releases into a mismatch, and the cross serves as the secondary read against zone drops or when the wheel is blanketed. Protection is empty so there is no back to chip, making this a timing based passing concept that relies on quick recognition and a fast trigger from the quarterback.

Defensive Reads

Identify the defender aligned over the running back before the snap, if it is a linebacker in man coverage this play is nearly unstoppable due to the speed mismatch on the wheel. Watch for Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells with deep zone defenders sinking to the sideline, this can squeeze the wheel route and force the quarterback to check down to the crossing route instead. Key any user controlled lurk defender sitting in the shallow zone, since the crossing route can get picked off by an aggressive user jumping the throwing lane if the quarterback does not sell the wheel first. Recognize blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge, since with no back in protection the quarterback has to get the ball out fast, if the defense brings a nano blitz look this play punishes it as long as the QB reads the hot route quickly. Against disguised zone blitzes, watch for the defender over the running back sinking into a zone drop instead of following the wheel man to man, this signals the offense should pivot to the crossing route or check down.

Usage Tips

Check the pre-snap alignment of the defender over your running back, if it is a linebacker or slower nickel defender in man coverage the wheel route is an automatic win versus most man beaters.

Use motion or a quick glance at the second level to confirm man versus zone before the snap, if you see man coverage indicators like tight press alignment on the outside receivers, key the wheel immediately.

Hot route the crossing route deeper or adjust its depth if you are getting Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone drops that clog the shallow crossing lane, this keeps your second read alive against zone beaters.

Pair this play with Slot Fade Cross or Slot Shake in your play calling sequence, running those first to bait defenders into jumping outside routes, then coming back to Wheel Cross to exploit linebackers biting on flow.

Best used on third and medium or in red zone situations where defenses commit extra defenders to shorter routes, since the empty backfield removes any run threat and defenses often play more aggressive man coverage in these spots.

Other Plays in Empty Base Trio