Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
TE Wheel out of Shotgun Flex Y Off Close sends the tight end on a wheel route from the backfield area up the sideline as the clear-out vertical threat while the two outside receivers to that side run a flat route and a deep crossing route that clears space underneath. On the backside, the isolated receiver runs a deep in-cut over the middle to occupy the opposite half of the field. This is a man beater built to exploit linebackers or safeties who try to man up the tight end, since the wheel naturally loses trail defenders on the turn upfield. Primary progression starts with the TE wheel as the big-play shot, works down to the underneath flat route if the wheel is taken away, and comes back to the backside in-cut against zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Identify the defender lined up over the tight end before the snap, if it is a linebacker in man coverage this play wins almost every time on the wheel. Watch the flat defender post-snap, if he widens too fast with the flat route he opens a throwing lane for the wheel route behind him. Key the safety rotation, a two high shell that rotates late to the wheel side signals Cover 2 or Cover 4 and means the flat route or backside in-cut becomes the higher percentage throw. Look for a user-controlled defender sitting in the flat or lurking in the shallow middle, since that defender can jump the flat route or undercut the crossing route and bait a turnover. Recognize blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the wheel route develops late and quarterbacks need time, a fast pressure look means you should check down to the flat route immediately.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs or in play-action heavy sequences when you have already established inside zone or counter Y from this same set, since the run-action tendency freezes linebackers and slows their wheel reaction.
Check the box count and safety depth before the snap, if you see a single high safety or man alignment on the tight end, target the wheel immediately off the snap.
Hot route the backside receiver into a quick hitch or slant against soft zone if the corner is playing a deep cushion, this gives you a safety valve if the wheel gets jumped.
Pair this play with RPO Read Out or RPO Zone Alert earlier in a series to bait linebackers into run fits, then hit this concept once they start crashing downhill.
Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells, throw the flat route quickly to the flat defender area before the wheel route defender can transition, since deep zone defenders often sink and leave the sideline vacated.
