Mtn DBL Slants Wheel

Check the strong safety and slot corner alignment before the snap, if they are stacked tight and shifted toward the motion side expect man coverage that the wheel route can exploit. Watch for a linebacker or nickel defender sprinting to mirror the jet motion, late or lazy mirror technique means the wheel route wins outside for a big gain. Identify Cover 3 by reading the deep third defenders, a flat defender sitting on the wheel route with a deep half safety rotated over the top will shut down the sideline shot and force you into the slants. Look for slot blitzes or nano blitzes off the edge before the snap, if the play caller sends extra rushers the quick developing slants become the answer against man beaters and hot pressure. Post snap, track any user controlled defender lurking in the shallow zone near the slant stack, a smart user will jump the rub route combo so be ready to climb the wheel route as your true first read against that look.