Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 11 playbooks
Breakdown
Slot Fade H Wheel from Shotgun Trips X Nasty attacks the boundary and the flat off trips with a wheel and fade combo. The outer trips receiver runs a fade down the sideline while the slot receiver releases underneath into a wheel route that climbs vertically up the numbers, creating a natural high low stretch on the corner and flat defender. On the backside, the single receiver runs a deep comeback breaking outside while the two remaining backside options work a short out and a shallow drag underneath, giving the quarterback a built in checkdown away from the trips concept. This is a man beater at its core, since the wheel route is designed to torch linebackers or nickel defenders who try to stay on the slot receiver through the release, though the fade and comeback also hold up against single high zone shells. Primary read starts with the wheel route to the flat defender's leverage, then works to the fade on a hard press look, and finally comes back to the backside comeback or shallow drag if trips is capped.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a linebacker or slot corner aligned tight on the slot receiver pre snap, that man coverage look is exactly what the wheel route is designed to exploit. Identify single high safety shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1, since the fade and wheel combo creates a natural conflict for the flat defender who has to choose between the underneath route and the vertical threat. Key the corner's depth at the snap, if he presses and turns his hips to run with the fade immediately, the wheel route behind him will be wide open in the void. Look for late rotating safeties or a robber defender sitting in the middle of the field, that usually signals Cover 4 or Cover 6 trying to bracket the trips side, which forces the quarterback to check down to the backside comeback or drag. Trust rate blitzes and press man across the board with no safety help over the top shut this concept down fast, since the fade has no room to work and the wheel gets picked up in coverage.
Usage Tips
Pre snap, check whether the defense has a linebacker or safety walked out over the slot receiver, since that is your indicator the wheel route will win against man coverage.
If you see a two high shell with soft corners, look fade first because the corner will likely sit and squat, opening the wheel behind him on the vertical stem.
Hot route the backside shallow drag into a quick out if you are facing a hard blitz look, giving your quarterback an instant answer versus pressure.
Pair this play with Switch HB Wheel or Mtn Stick Wheel earlier in a drive so the defense starts keying wheel routes from the backfield, then hit them with the slot wheel from trips as a change up.
Best used on early downs or third and medium when you want a explosive play shot but still have a safe backside checkdown if the deep shots are covered.
