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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
HB Counter out of Pistol Trips Open is a gap scheme power run that pulls the backside blockers to lead the HB through the counter hole for a misdirection run. The diagram shows the three trips receivers releasing vertically upfield to occupy the corners and safeties, while the single receiver to the closed side also runs a vertical stem to pull his defender away from the box. This is a run play, not a play-action or RPO, and the primary read is the HB's one cut off the pulling guard, reading the kickout block first and then working off the puller's hip to find the counter lane.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify the play side defensive end's alignment, a wide 9 technique is easier to kick out than a tight 5 technique that can string the run. Look at linebacker depth, stacked or downhill linebackers flowing fast can beat the counter timing and blow up the pulling guard before he reaches the hole. Man coverage on the trips receivers tends to pull defenders away from the box, which opens up the counter lane, so man beater coverage shells are generally favorable for this run. Post-snap, key the backside pursuit, if the defense reads counter quickly and the backside linebacker flows over the top, cut the run back against the grain. A hard edge blitz or nano blitz off the closed side can beat this play before the pullers get set, so check protection or kill the play if you see an obvious edge pressure look pre-snap.
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only run this into light boxes of six defenders or fewer since Trips Open declares run support to the closed side.
Use this on early downs like first and ten or second and short when defenses are still respecting pass-heavy Trips Open personnel.
Motion is not shown here, but pairing this call with HB Slip Screen or HB Slam from the same set keeps linebackers honest and slows their flow to the counter hole.
Watch for the play side defensive end squeezing hard, if he crashes down immediately bounce the counter run outside off the kickout block instead of forcing it inside.
Sequence this behind Levels or PA Deep In earlier in the drive so the safeties bite on pass keys and vacate the alley before you call HB Counter.
