Playbooks

Wheelies

Shotgun·Spread Y-Slot Wk·11
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Spread Classic

Breakdown

Wheelies is a man beater built around wheel routes out of the backfield and slot, designed to exploit linebackers and nickel defenders who cannot stay on top of vertical breaks. The concept typically releases the HB or slot receiver on a wheel route while other receivers run shorter option or crossing routes to hold underneath defenders and clear space downfield. The primary read progression starts with the wheel route matchup against a linebacker or safety in man coverage, then works to the underneath crossers or option routes if the wheel is capped or the defense shows zone.

Defensive Reads

Identify if a linebacker or safety is manned up on the HB or slot receiver pre-snap, since that matchup is the entire point of this concept Watch for a robber or lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field who can undercut the wheel route as it breaks vertical Read the flow of the linebackers at the snap, if they widen out to cover the wheel immediately you have a clean throwing lane, if they sink into zone drops you need to reset to the underneath option routes Beware of Cover 2 or Cover 3 shells with disciplined outside cornerbacks who can sink and wall off the wheel route from the sideline This play struggles against Cover 4 or match zone looks where safeties and corners pass off vertical routes efficiently, so avoid calling it into those shells

Usage Tips

Check pre-snap for man coverage indicators like a linebacker shading toward the backfield or a defender lined up tight on the slot receiver, since this play thrives against man and struggles versus disciplined zone drops

Hot route the underneath crossers into quicker option routes if you see Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells to give yourself a faster outlet

Use this on early downs or second and medium when defenses are more likely to sit in base man concepts rather than heavy zone shells

Pair this call with RPO Peek Slant or Quick Slants earlier in a series so the defense starts keying underneath routes, then hit them with the wheel route mismatch when they bite up

Motion the slot receiver before the snap to force the defense to declare man coverage, which confirms the wheel route matchup before the ball is even snapped

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