Playbooks

Curl Post Wheel

Shotgun·Trips·10
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Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 1 playbook

Spread Classic

Breakdown

Curl Post Wheel is a trips-based passing concept out of Shotgun that stacks three distinct route depths on the trips side while the backside receiver runs a post to hold the deep safety. The wheel route from the inside trips receiver creates a natural pick and leverage advantage against man coverage, while the curl and post settle into zone windows against split safety shells. Primary progression starts with the wheel route for a big play shot against man leverage, works down to the curl as the intermediate zone beater, and finishes with the post as a backside answer if the safety bites on the trips side.

Defensive Reads

Check the deep safety alignment before the snap, since a single high safety indicates Cover 3 or Cover 1 and tells you the wheel route has a one on one shot down the sideline. Watch the cornerback over the inside trips receiver at the snap, if he stays in place and reads route rather than mirroring the receiver you are looking at zone coverage and should target the curl route sitting in the window. Identify any user controlled defender flowing to the flat or trips side hook zone, since a lurking linebacker or safety in that area can undercut the curl route and take away the first read. This play struggles against Cover 2 Man or press man concepts with strong safety help over the top, since the wheel route loses its space advantage when a safety can rob it from the deep middle. Look for blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since those looks often leave the trips side in man coverage without deep help, which is exactly when the wheel route wins for an explosive play.

Usage Tips

Motion the inside trips receiver before the snap if your version of the play allows it to confirm man versus zone based on whether the defender follows across the formation.

Use this play on second or third and medium situations where defenses are more likely to sit in zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, since the curl route sits down in the soft spot underneath those coverages.

If you see man coverage indicators like tight press alignment on the trips receivers, immediately key the wheel route since the natural rub from the curl and post releases creates separation against man defenders trying to trail across the formation.

Pair this play with Stick Wheel or Fake Screen Wheel earlier in a drive so the defense starts respecting the flat and screen action, then come back to Curl Post Wheel to hit the wheel route deep once corners start jumping underneath routes.

Hot route the backside post to a quick slant or drag if you are facing heavy pressure looks and need a faster developing throw to punish blitz packages before the wheel has time to develop.

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