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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Whips HB Wheel is a play-action-style progression concept out of Shotgun Trey Y-Flex that hides the HB Wheel as a change-up behind a wall of whip and drag routes. Both outside receivers from the trey side run whip routes underneath while the tight end runs a deep whip back across the middle, creating traffic and clearing space for the HB to leak out of the backfield and wheel up the sideline behind the line of scrimmage defender. The lone receiver at the bottom releases vertically up the seam as a clear-out or big play option. Primary read progression is the whip routes underneath for a quick, safe throw, then the HB Wheel as the home run shot once the flat and underneath defenders bite on the whip action.
Defensive Reads
Key the flat defender and any linebacker responsible for the HB out of the backfield, if he bites on the whip routes or crashes down on run action the wheel is wide open down the sideline. Watch for a defender staying home on the running back pre-snap, that usually signals man coverage designed to take away the wheel and forces you to live underneath with the whip routes. Against zone coverage look at the corner on the wheel side, if he sinks into a deep third or quarter he can undercut the wheel route so check the underneath whip concept instead. Identify any nano blitz or edge pressure package pre-snap since the HB Wheel release is delayed and vulnerable to a fast interior rush, use quick protection adjustments or slide protection if the defense shows an overload front. A lurking linebacker or safety sitting in the middle of the field can jump the crossing whip routes, so if you see a robber technique post-snap pull the trigger on the wheel or the vertical clear-out instead.
Usage Tips
Use this play out of second and long or third and medium when defenses expect a quick underneath throw and are willing to sell out on the flat. Look for man coverage pre-snap since the whip routes create natural rub opportunities and the HB Wheel is a legit man beater against linebackers or safeties who bite on run action. If you see a Cover 3 or Cover 4 shell with squatting corners, hot route the bottom receiver's vertical into a deeper crossing route to occupy the deep defenders and open the wheel lane. Pair this call with HB Draw or Inside Zone earlier in a series so the defense respects the run fake and linebackers flow hard, making the HB Wheel release even more dangerous. Sequence this behind Stick or Empty Y Cross to condition defenders to jump underneath routes, then hit the wheel for an explosive gain once they overplay the quick game.
