Playbooks

Counter Read Option

Pistol·Doubles Y Off·11
CounterRead OptionRun PlayPower Run
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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationPistol

In 1 playbook

Superstar QB Scrambler

Breakdown

Counter Read Option out of Pistol Doubles Y Off blends a traditional counter blocking scheme with a read option mechanic, giving the quarterback the choice to hand off, keep, or pull based on the backside defensive end. The offensive line pulls the backside guard and tackle to lead through the hole while the QB reads the unblocked edge defender to decide whether to give the ball to the HB on the counter path or keep it himself. This is a run play with option elements, not a pass concept, so the primary read progression is purely the QB reading the edge defender's crash versus contain before committing to give or pull.

Defensive Reads

Watch the backside defensive end or edge player at the snap, since his crash or hold decision is the entire trigger for the QB give or keep read. Look for a scrape exchange from the linebacker level, where the backside linebacker replaces the crashing end, since this is the primary defensive counter to read option concepts and takes away the keep lane. Identify safety rotation pre-snap, since a safety cheating down into the box signals run support and can outnumber the counter blockers if the offense does not adjust with a hot route. Diagnose whether the defense is playing spill or contain technique on the edge, spill defenders funnel the ball inside to pursuit while contain defenders force the QB to make a quicker decision. Beware of interior gap penetration from a shooting linebacker or nano blitz up the middle, since this can disrupt the pulling linemen before they reach the point of attack and blow up the counter path entirely.

Usage Tips

Check the defensive end or outside linebacker alignment pre-snap to see if he is a true read defender or if the defense is showing a scrape exchange look, since that tells you whether the keep read will actually be honored by the CPU or user defender.

Use this play on early downs (first or second and short to medium) when you have established inside zone or dive looks earlier in the drive, since defenders sitting on dive or straight zone will bite hard on the counter action.

If you see a user linebacker crashing down hard on run fits every snap, hot route your TE or slot receiver into a quick flare or seal block to occupy the flowing defender and protect the pull lane.

Pair this call with HB Dive and Gt Read Option in the same drive to keep the defense guessing between one back run reads and counter action, forcing linebackers to hesitate on their fills.

Against aggressive user defenders who key the backfield motion, consider pulling the ball yourself more often since the counter blockers create a natural running lane if the end sells hard on the dive fake.

Other Plays in Doubles Y Off