Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Wheel out of Shotgun Slot Right shows a play-action fake to the backfield with the offensive line selling run to hold the second level. The backside outside receiver runs a shallow drag across the field while the slot receiver releases vertically up the seam and breaks toward the opposite hash on a deep crosser. The key route is the running back wheel out of the backfield, releasing flat then turning upfield into the void behind the underneath defenders, and the primary read progression starts with the wheel route against man coverage before working back to the deep crosser and the drag as the checkdown against zone drops.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if a linebacker or safety is aligned over or near the running back, since that defender is the primary conflict player on the wheel route. Post-snap, watch for a user-controlled defender flying downhill on run action, which signals man coverage and opens the wheel route for an explosive gain. Against zone coverage, watch the underneath linebackers and how quickly they sink into the deep crosser's window, since a disciplined zone drop can shut down the middle of the field read. Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells with deep safeties reading run action tend to shut this play down if the deep defenders stay patient and do not bite on the fake. Look for blitz packages that send extra defenders off the edge, since the play action fake needs time to develop and a quick pressure package can force the quarterback off his first read before the wheel route develops.
Usage Tips
Look for man coverage pre-snap since the wheel route is a true man beater that exploits linebackers or safeties who cannot stay in phase with the running back out of the backfield.
Use motion or a hot route to check the wheel route hot if you see a blitz look, since the play action fake will hold up longer against zero coverage and you need a quick answer.
Combine this play with PA Deep Choice or PA Mtn Slide earlier in a drive to establish the play action run fake tendency, then hit PA Wheel once the defense starts crashing down on run action.
Ideal on second and short or first down when defenses are more likely to bite on the run fake and commit linebackers downhill.
If the defense shows heavy zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, prioritize the deep crosser over the wheel since zone defenders will have eyes in the backfield and can undercut the wheel route.
