Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Counter out of Pistol Strong Slot is a gap-scheme run play that pulls the offside guard and tackle to lead the HB through the counter hole, using misdirection to get the play-side defenders flowing the wrong way before the ball cuts back. The diagram shows both receivers running vertical routes up the field to occupy the deep defenders and hold the corners, while the backfield action shows the counter step and pulling linemen creating a lead blocker in front of the HB. This is a pure run play designed to hit downhill once the counter trap blocker seals the edge defender, with the primary read being the play-side double team at the point of attack followed by the pulling guard identifying the first threat to the outside.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebacker depth at the snap, if they are sitting flat footed and reading the counter step correctly they can blow up the pulling guards before they reach the hole. Identify whether the defense is in a heavy box with a safety cheating down, since this alignment can outnumber the counter blocking scheme and force a negative play. Key the play-side defensive end, if he sits home instead of crashing upfield he can string the counter out and force the HB to bounce into pursuit. User-controlled defenders flowing hard to the counter action can be baited into overrunning the play, but a disciplined user staying square in the hole is the biggest threat to this run. Man coverage on the two vertical routes with no extra run support in the box is when this play hits hardest, while a run-blitz or contain scheme from the linebackers is the fastest way to shut it down.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like first and ten or second and short when defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts rather than sub packages built to stop the pass.
Check the box count before the snap, if the defense has six or fewer in the box this counter scheme is a green light because the pulling blockers will have numbers at the point of attack.
Use the two vertical routes to keep corners and safeties honest, this discourages aggressive run support from the secondary since they have to respect a potential shot play off the same look.
Pair this with HB Power O and Inside Zone Split from the same set so the defense cannot key on blocking direction, alternating counter with these downhill runs keeps linebackers guessing on gap fits.
If you see a linebacker or safety crashing hard toward the counter step pre-snap, consider hot routing to Triple Option or F Lead Read Option from this set on the next play to punish that aggressive read.
