Playbooks

HB Counter

Shotgun·Cluster·11

Counter Run Play Power Run

Play diagram for HB Counter from Shotgun Cluster in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetCluster

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 5 playbooks

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Breakdown

HB Counter out of Shotgun Cluster is a power run play built to attack the edge with misdirection blocking. The offensive line pulls the backside guard and tackle to lead the HB through a designed hole, using down blocks up front to seal the point of attack while the pulling linemen kick out the edge defender and lead through the hole. This is a base run play, not a play-action or RPO, and the primary read is the frontside double team and pulling lead blocker, with the HB reading the kickout block first before deciding to bend it back inside or bounce it outside.

Defensive Reads

Watch the defensive line alignment pre-snap, a shaded nose or 3 technique can blow up the pulling guard before he reaches the hole. Key the play side linebacker depth, if he is sitting tight to the line he can shoot the gap and disrupt the counter action before the kickout block sets up. Man coverage on the perimeter usually means fewer defenders in the box, making this an ideal run beater since the second level flows freely to the point of attack. Watch for a blitzing linebacker or slot defender crashing down hard off the edge, this is the classic counter killer since it beats the kickout block before it forms. Against zone shells with safeties sitting deep, this play benefits from light run support, but be wary of a user controlled defender flying downhill to blow up the pulling linemen in the backfield.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a quick shift to identify if the defense is in man or zone before the snap since Counter needs light boxes to hit cleanly.

Look for the linebackers cheating to the play side flow, if they are flowing hard with the pullers, consider bouncing this to a cutback lane instead of forcing it through the designed hole.

Pair HB Counter with HB Off Tackle and Inside Zone from this same Cluster set so the defense cannot key on blocking direction, this keeps linebackers honest and slows down run fits.

Run this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short when the defense is likely to play base personnel, avoid it against heavy blitz looks since the pulling linemen need time to get to the point of attack.

If the defense shows a stacked box pre-snap, check out of Counter into Mesh or Z Spot from the same set to punish the defense for overcommitting to the run.