Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Counter out of Pistol Strong Y Off Close pulls the backside guard and tackle to lead the HB through the hole after a misdirection step opposite the point of attack. The diagram shows the offensive line blocking down with the two pullers wrapping around to kick out the edge defender and lead through the alley, while the HB takes a counter step away from the flow before cutting up through the designed lane. This is a power run play designed to attack aggressive downhill linebackers and overpursuing defensive fronts, with the primary read being the puller's block on the edge defender to determine whether to bounce outside or cut it up inside.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive ends and outside linebackers crashing hard inside on the snap, this counter action is designed to exploit that overaggression. If the defense shows a stacked box with the linebackers already flowing to the play call, this run has a tougher path to daylight. Man coverage on the backside with no extra run support in the box is a green light situation for this play to hit big. Look for a user controlled defender spying or sitting in the counter lane, a disciplined user defender reading the pullers can blow this play up before it develops. Zone fronts and disciplined linebackers who stay home and read their gaps rather than flowing hard will limit this play to short gains.
Usage Tips
Run this play when linebackers are showing aggressive downhill triggers on tape since the counter action punishes overpursuit and downhill blitz fits.
Check the box count before the snap, this play needs a light box or favorable numbers at the point of attack to hit for a big gain.
Use HB Dive and HB Zone from the same set first to sell the same backfield look and condition the defense to bite on quick hitting run action.
On the snap, key the puller in front of the HB, if he gets a good kick out block bounce it outside, if he gets stood up plant and cut it up inside the tackle box.
Save this play for early down situations like first and ten or second and short where defenses are not selling out for the pass.
