Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA U-Drag Wheel is a play-action pass out of Singleback Wing Tight U that disguises run action before flooding one side of the field with a two-level route combo. Off the fake, the wing back releases into a wheel route up the sideline while a drag route works underneath from the opposite side across the formation, with a third receiver clearing out deep on a vertical to hold the safety. The primary read progression starts with the wheel route against man coverage for the explosive shot play, then works down to the drag as the underneath outlet if the wheel is capped, making this an effective man beater that exploits linebackers who bite on the play-action fake.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify whether the defense is showing man or zone by checking linebacker depth and safety rotation, a single high safety with tight linebacker spacing often signals man coverage that this play is designed to attack. Watch the cornerback or linebacker assigned to the wing back at the snap, if he bites on the play-action fake even slightly, the wheel route will separate quickly for a big gain. Against zone coverage, key the underneath linebackers and their drop angles, if they sink to cover the vertical clear-out route, the drag will be wide open in the shallow crossing zone for an easy completion. Be wary of a user-controlled defender sitting in a lurk position over the drag route, since a heads-up defender can jump the crossing route and create a turnover opportunity if the ball is thrown late. Disguised blitzes with delayed linebacker rushes and any coverage rotation that brings two deep safeties to double the wheel route will shut this concept down and force a quick checkdown read.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the ball at the mesh point as long as possible, since linebackers who key on run action will vacate the underneath drag lane and open up easy yardage. Check for man coverage pre-snap by looking at cornerback alignment on the wing back, if he is aligned tight and shaded inside, the wheel route has a strong chance to win up the sideline against a slower linebacker or safety in trail technique. Use the drag as your checkdown against zone coverage since underneath zone defenders will often sink under the vertical route and leave the shallow crossing lane open for a quick completion and positive yards after catch. This play works best on early downs or second and medium when defenses are more likely to play base personnel with linebackers in man coverage on the wing back. Pair this call with PA Sprint HB Flat or PA Boot Slide from the same set to keep defenses guessing between wheel routes and flat routes off similar run action, forcing linebackers to hesitate and widening throwing lanes over the course of a drive.
