Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn PA Portland Wheel is a play-action shot play out of Pistol 11 personnel that sends the deep threat on a corner-post style vertical from the backside while the frontside stack releases into a deep out and a wheel route out of the backfield. The offensive line executes play-action pass protection to sell the run fake before the QB works the wheel route developing underneath. This is a man beater designed to exploit man coverage on the running back, since the wheel route creates natural separation against linebackers and slot corners in man technique, with the primary read progression going from the deep vertical shot first, then working down to the wheel route as the checkdown or window throw.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense shows man coverage with corners playing tight technique on receivers, since this play is built to exploit man matchups against the wheel route. Watch linebacker depth and alignment before the snap, if a linebacker is shaded toward the running back's side that is a strong signal they are assigned man coverage on the wheel. Post-snap, key on whether a linebacker or safety sinks into a deep zone drop that can undercut the wheel route, which signals zone coverage and should shut down this concept. User-controlled defenders sitting in a lurk position near the flat or intermediate area can jump the wheel route route early, so if you see a user defender crashing that lane, work to the deep vertical shot instead. Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone shells with disciplined underneath defenders are the primary counters to this play, since the wheel route has no natural zone void to exploit and the vertical route runs into deep help.
Usage Tips
Look for man coverage indicators pre-snap such as corners lined up tight on receivers or a single high safety shell before calling this play since the wheel route is a true man beater. Use motion pre-snap if available to identify if the defense follows the back, which confirms man coverage and green lights the wheel route as your primary read. Hold the play-action fake for a full beat to let the wheel route develop and to hold linebackers before snapping your eyes downfield to the vertical shot route. This play works best on early downs like first or second and short to medium yardage where defenses are more likely to sell out on run support and get caught in man coverage. Pair this with HB Dive or Inside Zone Wk earlier in a series to set up the play-action look, then hit Mtn PA Portland Wheel once the defense starts crashing downhill on run fakes.
