Stopping the Wheel Route

In cover 3, the corner can't chase the post... just stay over the top and see the wheel coming. The FS should also be over the top of the post.
In cover 2, the receivers must be collisioned and you have to get a pass rush. The deep half safety must get depth (over the top of the receivers) and make plays down hill.
We have trouble completing the chair because we have a hard time protecting that long. The wheel is probably similar.
Maybe you are looking for more here. Hope that helps some.

ROLL UP AND PLAY HARD MAN UNDER WITH INSIDE LEVERAGE (BUMP & RUN). HAVE THE DEFENDERS "SWITCH" ON THE SNAP (JUST LIKE IN BASKETBALL WITH THE OUTSIDE DEFENDER TAKING THE WHEEL ROUTE AND THE INSIDE DEFENDER TAKING THE #1 RECEIVER.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

If in MAN (Cover 0 or 1) - whoever is assigned to the man running the wheel has it.

If in Quarters (Cov. 4), OR, "Robber" - the OLB (S/S) must take the wheel (he drops to an aiming point 10 yds deep in the middle of the flat) because the flat coverage man must lock on the wheel when the Corner rides the Curl or Post inside to bracket with the Safety. S/S types should be able to cover TE's on wheel routes (ability wise).

If in thirds (Cov. 3) - the Corner in the deep outside 1/3 ultimately has to take the wheel (not get inside the mid point of his 1/3 on the Curl or Post unless he sees QB releasing ball) & the Curl is covered by the underneath defenders and/or the Post is covered by the F/S.

Oneback, do you ever have the Corner trade off with the Safety on the Post/Dig/Curl? The reason that I ask is because you have the OLB(flat defender)locked on the wheel, and I was wondering if he ever gets any help over top by the Corner.....:light;

I'm running Cover 2 & Cover 3.

I was refering to Quarters?

Coach Ack in my post above of 7/28 - I made the following comment on QUARTERS. Hope this helps:

If in Quarters (Cov. 4), OR, "Robber" - the OLB (S/S) must take the wheel (he drops to an aiming point 10 yds deep in the middle of the flat) because the flat coverage man must lock on the wheel when the Corner rides the Curl or Post inside to bracket with the Safety. S/S types should be able to cover TE's on wheel routes (ability wise).


Coach Scott: A Cover 2 Corner has landmark drops also after the jam (6 yds from the sideline & 10 yds deep if no one is in the flat). & he will pick up #2 as he comes flat (after his initial JAM of #1). He covers #2 flat & can turn up with him in the WHEEL (we TRY to "deck him"). The Safety STILL has deep 1/2 & cannot come downhill on the Curl UNLESS he sees the QB going into his throwing motion BECAUSE there may be a #3 vertical in the MOF, OR, #2 may break to the post; OR, his help MAY be needed on the WHEEL. Remember - he has DEEP HALF! Curls are GENERALLY run vs. the UNDERCOVERAGE (which drops up to 12 yds deep) & if you have FIVE UNDER (in Cov. 2) - they had BETTER control the Curl. If the Safety sticks his nose into the Curl (unless he sees ball release) all KINDS of bad things will happen!

IF you are a flat coverage player & you are on top of a flat route & it turns up At YOU (FOR THE WHEEL) bust his ASS!

It is just like an ILB with a crossing route coming AT you. The officials won't call your hitting a receiver coming AT you BEFORE the ball is thown because neither you NOR the official knows if the receiver is BLOCKING or not, & you have the RIGHT to defend yourself. Even the WORST officials won't call that unless the ball is thrown!

There IS NO "5 yd bump rule" in HS ball (NATIONAL FEDERATION RULE BOOK) & we teach UNDERNEATH people to deck any receiver running DIRECTLY AT them if the QB is still holding the ball.

PS: Look at Nick Rapone's (DC at Delaware) great video on Pass Defense Techniques: In his "off man" & "off zone" Corner techniques - He collisions the second phase (or "extension") of ALL "AND UP" routes: Hitch & Up; Flat & Up (wheel); Out & Up; ETC. Nick learned this while playing in the secondary for Beamer at Va Tech several years ago. Colleges don't use the NFL 5 yd. Bump rule either.

Great tapes! They are all $37.95 I believe. Can order from 1-800-660-8815


Championship Defensive Back Drills, Nick Rapone

Individual Techniques For Defensive Back Play, Nick Rapone

Bracket & Vise Double Coverage Techniques, Nick Rapone

Off Man & Catch Pass Coverage, Nick Rapone (this is the one explaining the technique I described)

Defensive Back Play from A-Z DVD - Nick Rapone (I THINK this is the COMPLETE set for $94.99)