Playbooks

Freeze Counter Opt Rt

Pistol·Ace Slot·12

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Quick Reference

FormationPistol

SetAce Slot

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

In 1 playbook

Pistol OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Freeze Counter Opt Rt is a run-heavy option play out of Pistol Ace Slot 12 personnel that combines a freeze fake with a counter-flow option read to the right. The QB opens with a hard misdirection fake to hold the backside linebackers before working the counter action, reading the first unblocked defender off the edge to decide between keeping or pitching. This is a run scheme built to attack over-pursuit and aggressive downhill linebackers, with the primary read progression being freeze fake, then counter flow, then the edge defender for the keep or pitch decision.

Defensive Reads

Identify the alley defender or force player before the snap since this is the key to the entire option read. If the defense shows a scrape exchange with the edge defender crashing hard and a linebacker replacing outside, expect the QB to pitch rather than keep. Watch for user-controlled defenders lurking in the backfield gaps, as a disciplined user linebacker who does not bite on the freeze fake can blow up the counter action before it develops. This play struggles against gap-sound run fits and disciplined 4-3 or 46 fronts that do not overpursue the initial flow, so avoid calling it against defenses that have shown lane integrity all game. It beats aggressive man-heavy fronts and defenses that flow hard to jet or sweep motion, since the freeze element exploits linebackers who read run flow too quickly.

Usage Tips

Run this out of early down and medium distance situations like second and 5 to 8 when defenses expect a standard run fit and are keying on the fullback or lead blocker fake. Watch linebacker depth pre-snap: if the second level is stacked tight and flowing hard to the play call, the freeze element will hold them just long enough to spring the counter lane. Use the right stick to manually control your lead blocker and seal the alley defender if the CPU AI blocker misreads the edge. Pair this with Freeze Option Rt and Speed Option Wk in the same drive to condition the defense to keying flow one way, then hit them with Freeze Counter Opt Rt to counter that habit. Against defenses that show heavy edge pressure or a scrape exchange look, pull the ball late and pitch off the alley defender's leverage rather than forcing the keep.