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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Counter Read Option out of Pistol Doubles Y Off is a pure run play built on a counter blocking scheme with a read option element attached for the quarterback. The offensive line pulls to create a misdirection lane while the QB reads the play side defensive end to decide between handing off on the counter path or pulling the ball to keep himself. This is a power run concept designed to attack gap integrity, not a man or zone beater since there is no pass concept attached, and the primary read progression is the QB keying the unblocked edge defender to determine give or keep.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side defensive end pre-snap, if he is aligned wide or flashes contain responsibility the keep read opens up for the QB. Check linebacker depth, stacked linebackers who are quick to trigger downhill on run flow will get pulled out of position by the counter misdirection. Identify if the defense is in a run blitz or gap exchange scheme on the edge, since defenses that stunt the DE inside take away the dive but expose the keep lane. Look for a user controlled defender flying downhill immediately at the snap, aggressive user play can be countered by the backside cutback if the play side alignment overloads. Against disciplined scheme fits where the DE stays home and squeezes both options, this play gets contained, so know when to counter back with HB Dive or Y Lead Read Option to keep defenders honest.
Usage Tips
Use this play on early downs when you have established inside zone or dive looks to set up the misdirection false key for linebackers.
Check the box count before the snap, if the defense has six or more in the box the read option keep can still hit if the edge defender crashes down on the counter action.
Pair this with HB Dive and HB Zone earlier in a series so linebackers start flowing hard, then hit Counter Read Option to gash them once they overcommit.
Motion or shift the TE if allowed to get a free read on whether the defense is playing assignment football on the edge, this tells you if the keep lane will be there.
Avoid calling this into heavy blitz packages with an unblocked extra rusher off the counter side unless the QB has a clean keep read, since blitzers can blow up the pulling linemen before the mesh point.
