Playbooks

Orbit PA Wheel

Pistol·Strong·21
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationPistol

In 1 playbook

Franchise Offense Sharedcoach3Offense

Breakdown

Orbit PA Wheel is a play-action shot play out of Pistol Strong with 21 personnel that sells the Orbit motion HB run action before releasing the motioning back on a wheel route up the sideline. The fake to the orbiting back freezes linebackers and pulls flat defenders inside, creating a natural leverage advantage for the wheel route against man coverage or against zone defenders who bite on the run fake. Primary progression starts with the wheel route as the number one option against man matchups or blown coverage, then works to the underneath crossing or flat routes if the wheel is capped, making this a man beater first with zone beater traits when linebackers overreact to the play fake.

Defensive Reads

Read the strong side linebacker or nickel defender assigned to the orbit motion, if he bites on the play fake and flows toward the line the wheel route will be wide open. Check the safety shell before the snap, a two high look with soft corners favors the wheel since there is no deep help rotating over top. Post snap, identify any user controlled lurk defender sitting in the flat or hook zone, since a smart user can sink under the wheel and jump the route if the quarterback delays the throw. This play struggles against man coverage with a deep third safety help over the top, or against a linebacker who stays disciplined in his zone drop instead of crashing on the fake. Cover 3 with a fast flowing linebacker who respects run action first can still get beat, but Cover 4 or Cover 2 with disciplined underneath defenders will take away the wheel and force you into the checkdown progression.

Usage Tips

Motion the orbit back pre-snap and watch how the linebacker assigned to that side reacts, if he crashes hard toward the run fake you have a green light for the wheel route. Use this on early downs like first or second and short to mid distance so defenses respect the run action from Orbit HB Power and Orbit HB Stretch in this same set. Hot route the backside receiver into a shallow drag or slant if you diagnose zone coverage post snap, since the wheel loses value against a deep half safety who can rotate over the top. Pair this play in your call sheet with Orbit HB Power and Orbit HB Power G earlier in a series so linebackers start keying run fits, then hit this wheel shot to punish overaggressive flow. Avoid calling this against press man coverage with a deep safety over top of the wheel side, since a good user defender can undercut the route before it stems vertical.

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