Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn PA Wheel Cross is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Bunch Str Offset with 11 personnel that uses a motion man to sell the run fake before releasing into the route concept. From the bunch, one receiver runs a deep vertical up the numbers, a second breaks outside on a corner-flag route, and the point man works a wheel route up the sideline off the fake, while the deep crosser cuts across the middle of the field from the backside. The offensive line shows run blocking action to sell the play-action, making this a man beater against aggressive linebackers biting on the fake, with the crosser as the primary read against man coverage and the wheel as the secondary answer versus zone or blown coverage on the motion man.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth and flow at the snap, if they step up hard on the play-action fake the crosser and wheel both have soft coverage behind them Key the flat and hook defenders since a linebacker sitting in the shallow crossing lane can jump the crosser route and create a user pick six opportunity Identify single-high safety shells like Cover 3 or Cover 1, since the wheel route can outrun a linebacker matched up on the motion man Zone coverage with disciplined linebackers who do not bite on the run fake and sink into passing lanes takes away the crosser and forces a checkdown or throwaway Look for man coverage cornerbacks trailing the bunch receivers off the line, since press coverage can disrupt the timing of the deep vertical and corner routes before the play-action fake fully develops
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone before the snap, if the defender follows the motion man across the formation you have a strong indicator of man coverage and the wheel route becomes a live answer against a slower linebacker or safety
Prioritize the crosser as your first read since it exploits man coverage leverage and picks up natural rub help from the bunch alignment
Save this play for second and medium or third and short situations where linebackers are more likely to step up on the run fake, since the play-action sell is the engine that opens throwing lanes
Pair this with Mtn Inside Zone and Mtn Lead Toss earlier in a series so the play-action fake carries real threat, then dial up Mtn PA Wheel Cross once the defense starts keying the run
If the wheel route gets picked up quickly by a flowing safety, hot route the vertical route to a deep in or dig to counter zone drops underneath
