Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Counter GT Alert Smoke is a Power Run play out of Pistol Y Off Trips that pulls the guard and tackle to lead the HB through the hole, with the fullback or lead blocker kicking out the edge defender to seal the counter path. The diagram shows the HB taking a counter step before following the pullers, while the trips receivers to the boundary are not shown running routes, indicating this rep is built purely as a downhill run design rather than a play-action or RPO look. The Alert tag lets you check to a bubble or smoke concept at the line if you diagnose an overload blitz, but as drawn the primary read progression is the play side double team at the point of attack, then the pulling guard and tackle leading the HB into the alley created by the kickout block.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check linebacker depth and alignment: stacked or crashed linebackers over the play side guard and tackle are a sign the defense is sold on the counter direction. Watch the play side edge defender at the snap since the pulling lead blocker is designed to kick him out, if he squeezes hard down inside the counter lane closes fast. Post-snap, key the backside linebacker flow since counter relies on him overrunning the play, if he sits and reads mesh point the cutback lane disappears. If the defense shows an overload blitz or extra defender in the box pre-snap, that is your trigger to use the Alert Smoke check rather than hand it off into a losing gap matchup. Man coverage on the outside receivers with no extra flat defender leaves the Smoke concept vulnerable to a jumped route, so only check to it against zone shells or when the flat is clearly open.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the box count to confirm the defense is not stacked with an extra run defender before snapping into Counter GT.
If the defense shows blitz or an overloaded front, use the Alert Smoke check to get the ball out quickly on the bubble screen instead of forcing the run into a bad box.
This play hits best on early downs (first or second and short to medium) when defenses are more likely to sit in base fronts rather than nickel or dime run blitz packages.
Pair Counter GT Alert Smoke with HB Slam Alert Smoke and Inside Zone Split in the same drive to keep the defense guessing between gap schemes and give yourself the same Smoke bailout across multiple run calls.
Once you get a defense biting hard on the counter action, sequence in Return HB Power or a play-action shot like PA Boot Slide off similar formation and personnel to punish overaggressive linebacker flow.
