Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Fk Screen Wheel is a play-action screen concept out of Shotgun Doubles Z Close Wk. The outside receiver runs a deep vertical to clear space while the inside slot receiver runs a deep in to occupy the middle of the field, and the backside receiver runs a wheel route from the flat vertically up the sideline as the screen outlet. The running back releases to the flat opposite the wheel as a checkdown/screen option while the offensive line sets up play-action protection. Primary read progression starts with the wheel route as the man beater against man coverage leverage, then works to the deep in route as the zone beater window, with the flat/checkdown as the built-in safety valve versus pressure.
Defensive Reads
Key the backside cornerback pre-snap, if he is playing tight man technique with no safety help over top the wheel route will win easily. Watch the strong side safety depth, a deep single-high alignment signals Cover 1 or Cover 3 which opens the deep in route as the primary window. Post-snap, identify if the flat defender or linebacker widens to jump the running back's release, since that confirms a man beater matchup on the wheel route up the sideline. This play struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties since the wheel route runs into the deep half defender's zone. User-controlled defenders sitting in the shallow flat or lurking underneath the deep in route can jump the wheel or in route respectively, so scan both routes rather than locking onto one read too early.
Usage Tips
Use this play when you see man coverage on the backside cornerback since the wheel route creates natural separation against a defender who bites on the flat fake. Look for single-high safety shells pre-snap because the deep in route from the slot has a clean throwing lane against Cover 1 and Cover 3 with only one deep defender to threaten. Hot route the checkdown running back into a quick out if the defense shows blitz, giving the quarterback an instant answer against pressure. Pair this call with Mtn Switch Wheel or PA Jailbreak Screen earlier in a series to condition the defense to bite on flat action, then hit the wheel route deep once linebackers start jumping underneath routes. Best used on early downs or second and medium when defenses are more willing to sell out on run action and vacate the flat.
