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Quick Reference
Not in any team playbook.
Breakdown
Empty Post Cross Wheel is an empty backfield concept out of Shotgun Y Trips Wk with no blocking assignments since there is no running back in the backfield to protect, forcing quick decisions against the pass rush. The trips side runs a deep crossing combo with one receiver breaking to a deep post and the other releasing on a wheel route up the sideline, creating a natural high low stretch on the numbers, while the backside single receiver runs a shallow crosser underneath and the inline tag runs a quick out to the flat. This is a man beater built to exploit crossing traffic and pick off man defenders, with the primary read starting at the post and working to the wheel if the safety jumps the post, then checking down to the shallow crosser against a blitz.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety alignment pre-snap since that leaves the deep middle vulnerable to the post route Watch for man coverage matchups on the trips side, especially a linebacker assigned to the wheel route since that is a mismatch the offense wants Key the flat defender and any underneath zone droppers who could jump the shallow crosser and disrupt the checkdown Cover 3 with a rolled up safety to the trips side can take away the post by shrinking the window, forcing the quarterback to the wheel or crosser Zone blitzes that bring extra rushers while dropping a linebacker into the crosser lane can eliminate the easy checkdown and force a difficult throw
Usage Tips
Look for single high safety shells before the snap since the post route is designed to split the safety and attack the seam behind him
If you see man coverage on the trips side, trust the wheel route to win against a linebacker or slower corner who cannot stay on top
Use the shallow crosser as your answer versus pressure or when the defense shows blitz indicators like walked up linebackers
Pair this play with Empty Post Cross and Empty Post Dagger in the same set to keep defenders guessing on which deep shot you are taking from trips
Best called on second or third and medium when you have time to let the post and wheel develop but still have a checkdown safety valve
