Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Wheel Post Drag out of Shotgun Wing Slot Offset gives you a three level attack on one side of the field. The outside receiver runs a vertical stem into a post, breaking hard across the middle to sit down over safeties or split zone defenders. Underneath, one route works a drag across the field while the offset back releases into a wheel route up the sideline, working from the flat to the deep boundary against man coverage. This concept beats man coverage by using the wheel to create a natural rub off the drag and post traffic, and the primary read progression starts with the post for an explosive shot, then works down to the drag if the middle of the field is clogged, with the wheel as a late developing man beater against linebackers who bite on the flat.
Defensive Reads
Watch the free safety depth pre-snap, if he is shaded to the play side he can jump the post route and take away your top read. Identify man coverage by checking if a linebacker or slot defender follows the back in motion or at the snap, this confirms the wheel route will have a favorable matchup. Key the underneath linebackers after the snap, if they sink into zone drops and ignore the drag you can hit that route quickly for a easy completion. Look for a lurking defender sitting in the middle of the field in zone coverage, this player can undercut the drag route or get depth to disrupt the post. Watch for a blitz off the edge on the wheel route side, since the back releasing late into his route makes him vulnerable to a nano blitz if protection is not adjusted.
Usage Tips
Check the safety alignment before the snap, single high shells tell you the post has a bigger throwing window because there is only one deep defender to account for both verticals.
Use the wheel route as your alert versus man coverage, if you see a linebacker or safety trying to cover the back out of the backfield you can throw the wheel for an explosive gain up the sideline.
Hot route the drag into a deeper crosser if you are facing heavy zone coverage to give yourself a better zone beater underneath while the post occupies the deep defenders.
This play works well on second and medium or third and long because it takes time to develop, so make sure your protection can hold up against extra rushers.
Pair this play with Double Cross or Mesh Spot in your play calling sequence, since both use similar route distribution and crossing action, forcing the defense to declare man or zone before you know which concept to lean on.
