Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Angle Y Wheel is a Shotgun 11 personnel play from the Normal Y Off Close set that runs a wheel route from the Y off the angle release, paired with a deep corner route from the outside receiver to that side and a crossing dig/drag combo from the backside two receivers. The backside receivers run an over/under crossing pattern, with one settling underneath while the other clears out deep to the opposite sideline, creating a natural rub against man coverage. The primary read progression starts with the Y wheel working from the flat vertically up the sideline, then moves to the deep corner route occupying the safety, before checking down to the crossing routes underneath if the wheel and corner are both covered.
Defensive Reads
If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 shell, expect the flat defender to widen with the wheel route, so look for the window underneath on the drag before the safety rotates over. Man coverage teams that like to blitz linebackers get exposed here because the wheel route beats man to man matchups with linebackers or slower safeties in space. Watch the slot or flat defender at the snap, if he jumps the underneath crosser instead of respecting the wheel, that is your cue to sit on the wheel route for the explosive gain. Zone teams that keep two deep safeties can bracket the wheel route, so if you see a two high shell pre-snap, prioritize the crossing routes underneath instead of forcing the ball deep. Be wary of a robber or lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, since he can jump the deep crossing route if the quarterback stares it down too long.
Usage Tips
Attack man coverage first since the wheel route out of the backfield or slot area creates a natural pick against man defenders trailing the angle release.
Watch pre-snap for single high safety looks, if the safety cheats toward the crossing combo side, immediately key the Y wheel for a big play up the sideline.
Hot route the shallow crosser into a quick out if you see a linebacker sitting in the underneath passing lane to beat zone drops.
Use this on second or third and medium distance since the wheel route needs room to develop and the crossers give you an easy checkdown against soft zone.
Pair this with Mtn HB Swing or Read Option from the same set to keep defenders honest on the run fake before hitting them with this play-action-style shot down the field.
