Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Counter out of Pistol Bunch X Nasty is a power run play that pulls the offside guard and tackle to lead the HB through the hole after a hard counter step. The diagram shows a bunch alignment to one side with two outside receivers running vertical routes to hold the deep defenders while the offensive line executes down blocks with the pulling linemen kicking out the edge defender. This is not a pass concept at all, so there is no man or zone beater route tree to read: the primary progression is a pure ground read where the HB presses the initial flow of the counter action, reads the kick out block on the edge, then follows the pulling lead blocker through the alley created up front.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebacker flow keying the initial zone action, since fast flowing linebackers can overrun the counter and get trapped by the second level puller. Identify safeties stacked in the box or a nine man front, which shuts down the counter lane before the pulling linemen can seal it. Track defensive end squeeze technique on the play side, since a disciplined end who sits on the counter kick out block can blow up the entire run. Read edge defender leverage pre-snap: if he is playing wide contain rather than squeezing down, the counter has an easier path through the alley. Post-snap, key on any user-controlled defender crashing down early on run action, since the counter's misdirection is designed to punish overaggressive downhill triggers.
Usage Tips
Check the box count pre-snap and only run this into light fronts of six or fewer defenders in the box since the pulling linemen need time to get to the point of attack.
Look for linebackers cheating downhill on run keys or safeties creeping into the box, since counter loses value against stacked fronts with extra run support.
Use the vertical releases from the outside receivers to hold cornerbacks and safeties honest, which helps freeze zone defenders long enough for the counter action to develop.
Pair this with HB Zone and HB Zone Wk from the same set so the defense cannot key on one blocking scheme, then mix in Slant Spacing or Corner Out Dig off the same personnel to keep second level defenders guessing.
Best used on early downs or short yardage when you have established outside zone tendencies, since the counter step and pulling guard hit differently than the zone stretch look.
