Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Counter Lead out of the Pistol Full House is a gap scheme power run built to attack the backside edge with a lead blocker clearing the alley. The diagram shows the fullback and offside guard pulling to the play side while the FB leads through the hole to pick off the first defender in the box, with the HB pressing the line before cutting off the counter action. This is a run play with no route concept attached, and the primary read is a one cut progression: the ball carrier keys the pulling fullback's block to decide between bending it back inside the counter trap or bursting outside if the edge defender crashes down.
Defensive Reads
Watch the defensive end and outside linebacker on the play side, if they crash hard down the line the pulling fullback can kick them out or the back can bend it back for a cutback lane Base 4-3 and 3-4 fronts with linebackers reading run keys tend to overflow to the counter action, creating a natural cutback if the backside pursuit overruns the hole User controlled Mike linebackers who key the backfield and stay patient will blow this play up by shooting the gap before the pulling blockers arrive Look for safety rotation pre-snap, if the defense shows an eight man box or run blitz with both safeties crashing down, this play has no natural escape lane and should be checked Nano blitz packages that send extra defenders straight into the backfield off the snap can beat the counter's timing since the pulling linemen need a full count to get to their block
Usage Tips
Run this play against defenses that show aggressive edge pressure or crashing defensive ends since the counter action punishes overpursuit
Check the linebacker depth pre-snap, if the Mike and Will are sitting shallow and squared up they can diagnose the pulling guard too fast, so consider motioning the fullback to disguise the direction
Use this in early down and distance situations like first and ten or second and short to keep the defense honest and set up play-action off the same look
Pair Counter Lead with PA Boot or PA X Post from the same Full House Pistol set since the run action sells the same backfield flow and freezes linebackers for the boot or post shot
If the defense starts selling out to stop the counter with linebackers flowing hard, switch to Zone Read or Triple Option from this set to hit the backside cutback lane
