Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Wheel Spot from Shotgun Tight Offset TE gets its name from the outside receiver on the right, who releases upfield on a wheel route up the sideline while the underneath spot concept works on the left and middle of the field. On the left side, the outside receiver runs a short out to the flat, the slot defender runs a quick pivot into the middle void, and the inline TE releases vertically up the seam, forming the classic spot combo. The right side receiver who starts the wheel gets a chip release before turning it up the numbers, giving this play a built in answer against both man and zone coverage since it stresses flat defenders with the wheel while flooding the underneath with the spot concept. Primary read progression starts with the wheel route against man coverage or blown assignments, then works to the flat route and pivot underneath if the wheel is covered, with the seam route as a checkdown against soft zone.
Defensive Reads
Identify whether the defense is in man or zone before the snap by checking cornerback depth on the wheel side receiver, tight press alignment often signals man coverage that this play exploits. Watch the flat defender on the wheel side after the snap, if he sinks with the receiver on the wheel route your user should stay home in the flat rather than chase, since a lurking underneath defender can jump the pivot route. Cover 3 with a hard flat defender squatting on the wheel route shuts this play down quickly, so look for that squat technique as a sign to check to the seam or pivot route instead. Linebacker depth at the snap tells you if the middle of the field is soft, shallow linebacker drops open passing lanes for the pivot route working across the middle. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge on the wheel side can disrupt the route timing, so identify overload blitz fronts pre-snap and be ready to get the ball out quickly to the flat or pivot as a hot read.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for man coverage indicators like a cornerback pressed on the wheel receiver, since the wheel route wins big against man to man assignments when linebackers fail to carry it.
Use this play on early downs or second and medium situations where you have time to let the wheel route develop up the sideline for an explosive gain.
Against Cover 3 or Cover 4 shells, hot route the pivot receiver into a deeper option or use him as your first read since the spot concept sits in the intermediate zone voids.
Pair this play with Slot Wheel or Mesh HB Wheel earlier in a series to condition the defense to jump underneath routes, then hit them with the outside wheel for a home run shot.
If the defense shows heavy blitz looks pre-snap, consider audibling to HB Slip Screen or Inside Zone from this same formation to keep the defense honest and protect the wheel route timing.
