Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Wheel Spot out of Shotgun Tight Y Off lines up with three receivers to the left and a single receiver to the right against a solo defender. The backside runs a wheel route up the sideline while the two remaining left side receivers work a spot combo underneath, with the outermost receiver sitting in the flat and the middle receiver settling into a curl over the ball. On the right, the lone receiver runs a quick out that clears the flat for the wheel route to develop up the numbers, making this a classic Cover 3 beater that also stresses man coverage on the backside wheel matchup. Your primary read starts with the wheel route against Cover 3 or man leverage, then works down to the spot combo underneath if the wheel is capped.
Defensive Reads
Identify the single high safety pre-snap since this alignment signals Cover 3 or Cover 1, both of which are vulnerable to the wheel route beating the flat defender. Watch the flat defender at the snap since a linebacker or nickel who widens late leaves the wheel route open behind him for an explosive gain. Key the middle linebacker depth since a shallow drop signals zone coverage that opens throwing lanes for the spot curl route over the middle. Diagnose Cover 4 or Cover 2 shells by looking for two deep safeties pre-snap, since these shells provide over the top help that shuts down the wheel route and forces you into the underneath spot combo. Recognize man coverage with a linebacker matched on the running back since that mismatch is the green light to throw the wheel route without hesitation.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for a single high safety look since Cover 3 rotates a corner to the deep third and opens the wheel route against a linebacker in coverage.
If you see man coverage with no safety help over the top, target the wheel route immediately since most linebackers cannot stay in phase down the sideline.
Use the spot concept underneath as your answer against zone drops that squat on the wheel route, since the flat and curl combo settles into the soft spots of Cover 3 and Cover 4.
Hot route the backside out route into a hitch or slant if you get press man to give yourself a quicker outlet against aggressive corners.
Pair this play with Doubles Shot or Choice Pivot Return in your play sequence since both attack similar Cover 3 shells and keep the defense guessing between wheel and spot concepts.
