Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Counter out of Pistol Strong Slot Close is a gap scheme power run that sends the offensive line and blockers flowing one direction before the HB counters back against the grain. The diagram shows the two outside receivers running vertical stems to hold the corners and safeties, while the TE and blockers set up a pull scheme with a lead blocker crossing the formation to kick out the edge defender at the point of attack. This is a run play, not a man or zone beater in the passing sense, and the primary read progression for the ball carrier is to press the initial flow direction, locate the pulling lead blocker, then cut off his block through the counter lane.
Defensive Reads
Watch linebacker depth and flow at the snap, if they crash hard toward the initial blocking flow they are vulnerable to the counter cutback lane. Key the edge defender on the play side, aggressive up the field rushers get kicked out easily by the lead blocker while disciplined edge setters can string the play out. Check for a stacked box or extra defender crashing downhill pre-snap, this signals a run blitz that can beat the counter before the pulling blockers get set. Look for user controlled defenders spying the backfield or sitting in the counter lane, a smart human defender reading the mesh point can blow this play up for a loss. Two high safety shells with soft box counts are the best defensive look to attack since it means fewer bodies are flowing hard at the snap.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into flowing hard toward the initial line movement before the ball is snapped. Identify base 4-3 or 3-4 fronts with linebackers stacked tight since this play thrives against downhill run defense that overcommits to the flow side. Avoid calling this against heavy blitz packages that send extra defenders through the counter lane pre-snap since the misdirection loses value against unblocked penetration. Pair this with HB Dive and F Lead Read Option from the same set to keep defenders honest on inside run fits before hitting them with the counter timing. Best used on early downs in normal or run heavy personnel situations where defenses are expecting a straight downhill run instead of misdirection.
