Playbooks

Spacing HB Wheel

Shotgun·Trey Open·11
WheelSpacingPass PlayCover 3 BeaterCover 4 Beater
Play diagram for Spacing HB Wheel from Shotgun Trey Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 6 playbooks

Air Raid OffenseOffenseRun N Gun OffenseOffenseSuperstar HB ReceivingSuperstar QB GunslingerSuperstar WR Deep ThreatSuperstar WR RAC

Breakdown

Spacing HB Wheel out of Shotgun Trey Open lines up three receivers to the trips side and a lone receiver to the backside, with the HB releasing out of the backfield on a wheel route up the sideline. The trips side runs a spacing concept: one receiver breaks in short, another sits at the sticks, and the outside man clears vertically, while the backside X runs a deep dig across the middle and the TE cracks down as a blocker point of emphasis near the line. This is a Cover 3 and Cover 4 beater that attacks underneath zone voids with the spacing concept while the HB wheel exploits any linebacker or safety who overcommits, with the primary read starting on the HB wheel against man leverage before working into the spacing conversion route and settling underneath if the wheel is capped.

Defensive Reads

Watch for a linebacker or nickel defender aligned tight over the HB pre-snap since that signals man coverage and a green light for the wheel route. If the deep safeties rotate to a two high shell post snap, expect the corner to sink under the wheel and you should reset to the spacing concept underneath. Identify zone drops from the underneath linebackers since a hard flow to the trips side spacing concept can open a throwing lane on the backside dig. Beware of Cover 4 shells where the corner presses and the safety plays over the top, which can squeeze the wheel route and force an early check down. Watch for a blitz look with the defense showing pressure off the edge since the HB stepping out on the wheel could leave the QB exposed without a hot route adjustment.

Usage Tips

Check the HB wheel first if you see man coverage or a linebacker walked up over the backfield since this route wins big against Cover 1 and Cover 2 man matchups.

Use the spacing concept underneath as your safety valve against Cover 3 zone drops when the corners and safeties sit deep and take away the wheel.

Look for a single high safety before the snap since that usually signals Cover 3 or Cover 1, both of which open the wheel route down the sideline.

Pair this play with Curls or Stick from the same set to keep the defense honest on quick underneath throws before hitting them with the wheel later in a drive.

Use this on early down and distance to set up explosive plays, then come back to Y Cross Wheel or Mesh Wheel later in the game once the defense starts jumping the HB out of the backfield.

Other Plays in Trey Open