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Breakdown
Fake Screen Wheel out of Shotgun Tackle Over sells the HB Slip Screen look before releasing the back vertically on a wheel route up the sideline, while the backside receiver runs a straight vertical seam to stretch the defense top to bottom. The screen fake holds linebackers and underneath defenders for a beat, creating separation for the wheel route as it climbs from the flat into the deep third. This is a play-action screen concept designed to beat man coverage and aggressive linebacker flow, with the primary read progression starting on the HB wheel route out of the backfield and going to the vertical route on the opposite side if the wheel is capped by a deep defender rotating over.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers flowing hard toward the line of scrimmage on the snap, since that confirms they are biting on the screen fake and leaving the HB wheel route open in space. Check the flat defender or slot corner responsible for the running back, if he stays home and sits on the wheel route immediately, this play is likely to get shut down. Man coverage across the board with no safety help over the top is the ideal matchup, especially if the linebacker assigned to the HB is undersized or slow to react. Against zone coverage, key the deep third defender on the wheel side, if he stays disciplined and does not bite on the screen action he can rotate over and cut off the wheel route. Blitz packages that send extra rushers can be dangerous here since the screen fake eats up blocking time, so make sure protection can hold up if the defense brings pressure off the edge.
Usage Tips
Use this play when the defense has shown a heavy dose of screen recognition or nano blitz packages, since the play-action fake punishes linebackers who bite on the screen action. Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap such as corners lined up tight on the outside receiver and a linebacker shaded toward the HB, since the wheel route torches man defenders who try to trail the running back out of the backfield. Pair this call with the actual HB Slip Screen and Read Option earlier in a series so the defense over-reacts to flow and screen keys, then hit them with this fake to convert the same look into a big play. On third and medium or in two minute situations, this play is a great chunk play call because both routes are designed to hit downfield. If the defense drops into a deep zone shell, hot route the backside vertical into a shorter option or check down quickly since the wheel route can get squeezed by a flat defender sitting underneath.
