Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Wheel Switch is a man beater out of Shotgun Tight Slot Open with 11 personnel that attacks the boundary and field with a switch release on the right side. The outside receiver and slot exchange releases, with the slot receiver running the wheel route up the sideline while the outside man breaks underneath toward the flat before working vertical, creating natural traffic for man defenders. On the left side the TE runs a deep corner from a hitch stem while the outside receiver runs a shallow drag across the field, and the backfield release adds an underneath check valve. The primary read progression starts with the switch concept to the right, working the wheel against man coverage first, then coming back to the drag and corner combo on the backside if the switch route is covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch for corners playing tight man technique on the outside receivers before the snap, since that alignment is most vulnerable to the switch release creating a natural rub. Key the slot defender's initial reaction at the snap, if he bites on the underneath route from the outside receiver he will be late getting over the top of the wheel. Identify two high safety shells and zone coverage drops, since a defender sitting in the flat or curl zone can undercut the wheel route and shut down the primary read. Look for user controlled defenders lurking in the middle of the field who can jump the drag route on the backside if the quarterback holds the ball too long. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, shallow linebackers can disrupt the shallow drag while deep dropping linebackers can help erase the corner route on the backside.
Usage Tips
Attack man coverage first since the switch release on the right is designed to create a natural pick and open up the wheel route against trailing defenders. Check pre snap for man indicators like corners lined up outside with inside leverage, since the wheel will win over the top if the corner gets picked or is late diagnosing the switch. If you see a two high shell or zone drops flowing to the flat, work the backside drag and corner combo instead since the wheel loses value versus zone. Use this on second and medium or third and short to long situations where the defense is more likely to play man to close passing lanes. Pair this with Bench Switch or DBL Hook Wheel in your play calling sequence so defenders start jumping switch releases late, opening up double moves and wheel routes for explosive gains.
