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Breakdown
Post Wheel Texas out of Shotgun U Off Trips Flex is a trips-based man beater built around the Texas concept from the backfield. To the trips side, the outside receiver runs a deep post while the slot receiver clears vertically before working across the field on a deep crossing route, stretching the defense horizontally and vertically at the same time. The RB releases out of the backfield on the wheel route (shown in red) working from the flat up the sideline, attacking any linebacker or safety who tries to sink underneath the crossers. Primary read progression starts with the post shot down the middle of the field, then works to the wheel route as the RB clears the box, with the deep crosser as the layered answer versus zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing man or zone based on cornerback depth on the trips side and safety rotation toward the boundary. This concept is deadly versus man coverage because the wheel route creates a natural mismatch against linebackers who cannot stay in phase with a running back up the sideline. Zone defenses with a deep half safety can take away the post, so watch for a two high shell that stays true post-snap. Versus Cover 3, the flat defender is the key conflict player, if he sinks with the wheel route the deep crosser will be wide open behind him, if he sits the wheel is open. Blitz-heavy looks with man coverage behind them are the easiest to exploit here since the RB releasing on the wheel forces a linebacker into a leverage battle he usually loses.
Usage Tips
Check pre-snap for single high versus two high safeties, since the post route becomes an explosive shot play if the safety bites on the crosser or wheel action. Use motion or a hot route on the flex TE to create a natural pick or rub if you see man coverage on the wheel route defender. This play hits hardest on 2nd and long or 3rd and long when defenses are more likely to play zone drops that leave the deep crosser open behind linebackers. Pair this call with Inside Zone or Duo earlier in a series to get defenses cheating downhill, then dial up Post Wheel Texas off the same personnel to hit the wheel or post for an explosive gain. If the user drops a defender into the deep middle, work your eyes to the wheel route on the sideline since that isolates the RB against a linebacker in coverage.
