Playbooks
Y-option Wheel is a trips based man beater out of Shotgun Y Off Trips Pats that isolates the Y receiver on an option route while the backside runs a wheel to attack leverage and open grass. The option route lets the Y sit down against zone or break away from man leverage, while the trips side occupies underneath defenders and creates natural picks against man coverage. The primary read progression starts with the Y option to identify man versus zone, then works to the wheel route if a linebacker or safety widens late to help over the top.
Watch the slot cornerback or nickel defender at the snap, if they sink into a deep zone drop it signals Cover 3 and the Y option should settle into the open window underneath Key the middle linebacker or hook defender, if they widen to cover the wheel route late it opens the option route for an easy pitch and catch Identify single high safety alignment pre-snap, since Cover 1 or Cover 3 with a lurking linebacker on the wheel can bait a bad throw if the user does not track the route Look for a user controlled defender sitting in the flat, since a disciplined flat defender can jump the wheel route and force the quarterback to reset to the option route Recognize press man coverage on the outside trips receivers, since this alignment often opens a natural rub for the wheel route against man beaters
Check the box or slot cornerback depth before the snap to see if they are playing outside leverage, since that dictates whether the Y should break in or out on the option route
Use this play on third and medium to third and long when defenses are more likely to sit in man coverage or single high shells
If the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 4 with deep zone drops, hot route the Y option to a hitch or speed out to beat the underneath defender before help arrives
Pair this play with Wheel Mesh or Pats Drag Wheel earlier in a drive so defenders start jumping the wheel route, then come back to Y-option Wheel to hit the option route for an easy completion
Motion the trips receiver pre-snap to confirm man coverage if the defender follows across the formation, then key the wheel route for a big play against a trailing linebacker