Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA Wheel Slide out of Singleback Wing Tight fakes the run action to hold the linebackers before the QB rolls into a play-action boot. The backside receiver runs a deep dig across the middle while the slot runs a short in-cut underneath, and the wing back releases out of the backfield on a wheel route up the sideline, with the fullback or TE working a shallow drag/slide underneath the wheel for a checkdown. This is a play-action man beater designed to exploit linebackers biting on the run fake, and the primary read progression starts with the wheel route matched against a linebacker or safety on the flip flop, then works back to the deep dig, and finally checks down to the underneath slide.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify if the defense is in man or zone coverage by checking safety depth, a single high safety often signals man coverage which is where this play excels. Watch the linebacker assigned to the wing back at the snap, if he steps up to fill the run gap instead of staying with his man coverage assignment on the wheel, that is your green light to throw the wheel immediately. Post-snap, read for a lurking linebacker or safety sitting in the middle zone who can jump the deep dig route, this is the primary defender that shuts down the second read. Be wary of defenses that show blitz pre-snap, since a fast interior blitz can beat the play-action fake and force a quick decision before the wheel route fully develops. Against zone coverage look for a cornerback sinking with the wheel route or a linebacker spying the underneath drag, if both are covered tightly the checkdown slide route becomes your safety valve against a well disguised zone blitz.
Usage Tips
Sell the run fake by holding the ball low and selling the play fake animation, especially against aggressive run fit defenses that key on the backfield.
Use pre-snap motion or check the alignment of the linebacker covering the wing back, if he is a slower MIKE or SAM linebacker the wheel route is a near automatic win versus man coverage.
If the defense shows a two high shell pre-snap, expect the safety to potentially carry the wheel, so be ready to hit the deep dig route as your second read instead of forcing the wheel.
This play works well on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) because the run fake is more believable, and it pairs well in a sequence after running HB Inside Zone or 26 Duo from the same formation to keep the defense honest.
Hot route the underdneath slide route to a flat route if you anticipate zone coverage getting a body underneath the wheel, this gives you a faster checkdown option against a zone drop.
