Playbooks

Counter Y

Pistol·Y Off Trips·11
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Quick Reference

FormationPistol

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Breakdown

Counter Y is a gap scheme run play out of Pistol Y Off Trips that pulls the backside guard and tackle (or TE depending on protection rules) to lead through the hole while the play side blocks down, creating a misdirection look that punishes overaggressive linebacker flow. The RB takes a counter step away from the play call before pressing back downhill behind the pullers, so the primary read progression starts with the play side double team, then works to the first puller kicking out the edge defender, and finally the lead puller climbing to the second level linebacker. This is a base run concept, not a play-action or RPO, and it is designed to gash defenses that are keying the trips side or selling hard on outside zone tendencies from this personnel grouping.

Defensive Reads

Look for linebacker depth at the snap since shallow, aggressive linebackers who flow fast toward trips get gashed by the counter action and lead blocker. Check safety rotation before the snap, if both safeties are deep in a two high shell the box is lighter and counter has more room, if one safety sneaks down into the box expect a quicker fit on the puller. Watch the edge defender on the play side, if he crashes down hard on the down block the puller can kick him out easily, but a disciplined edge player who stays square can blow up the pulling scheme. Identify any user controlled defender spying the backfield or sitting in the hole, since a smart user linebacker reading counter step can beat the puller to the point of attack and kill the run before it develops. This play struggles against gap sound defenses running heavy front looks with linebackers reading through the guard, so avoid calling it against stacked box alignments with extra defenders in the box.

Usage Tips

Run this out of early down and distance situations like first and ten or second and short to keep defenses honest against your Y Off Trips passing concepts. Watch pre-snap for linebackers cheating toward the trips side or safeties rotating down into the box, since Counter Y exploits defenses that overcommit to stopping perimeter run fits. Pair this with Mtn HB Wide Zone Wk and HB Wide Zone from the same set so defenders cannot sit on the counter step and jump the pulling guards. If the defense shows a heavy blitz look pre-snap, consider hot routing the TE into a quick flare or checking to HB Dive instead since counter needs time for the pullers to develop. Use PA Counter Y Screen later in the series once the defense starts flowing hard to this look, since it freezes linebackers who are keying the same counter action for the run.

Other Plays in Y Off Trips