Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Cheat Counter Y is a power run play out of Pistol Deuce Close with 12 personnel that uses jet motion across the formation before the snap to influence the defense and create a numbers advantage. The offensive line and tight ends pull and kick out to the play side, executing a classic counter blocking scheme with a lead blocker clearing the point of attack while the H-back wraps through the hole. The primary read for the ball carrier is to press the initial hole to bait flow, then cut off the kick-out block and follow the wrapping lead blocker through the alley, reading the play side linebacker and safety fill last.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side linebacker depth before the snap, if he is stacked tight to the line he can blow up the counter timing before the kick out block arrives. Key the safety rotation post snap, a fast flowing safety filling the alley from depth is the biggest threat to shut this run down. Look for user controlled defensive ends staying home instead of crashing down on the initial flow, disciplined edge play forces the ball carrier to bounce outside the blocking scheme. Man coverage shells with the corner following the jet motion man usually leave light boxes, which favors the counter blocking scheme getting a clean kick out. Nano blitz packages that shoot gaps immediately at the snap can beat the pulling linemen before they reach the point of attack, so respect any pre-snap blitz indicators from the mike or edge defenders.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is playing man or zone based on whether a defender follows the motion man across the formation.
This play hits hardest against base fronts and light boxes, so check the defender count in the box before the snap and audible away from stacked eight man fronts.
Pair Cheat Counter Y with HB Dive and Inside Zone Split in the same series to keep linebackers honest on their run fits and set up the counter action later in the drive.
Use manual motion timing so the ball is snapped right as the motion man clears the formation, this disguises the counter action from user linebackers keying on window dressing.
Ideal on early downs (first and ten, second and short) when defenses are more likely to sit in base run fits rather than sub package or blitz heavy looks.
