Playbooks
HB Counter out of Shotgun Doubles Flex WK Pats is a power run play built on misdirection, pulling the backside guard and tackle (or fullback in some variants) to lead through the hole while the offensive line blocks down at the point of attack. The running back takes a counter step away from the play call before planting and following his pullers through the designated gap, selling the misdirection to freeze linebackers and second level defenders. This is a run play, not a pass concept, so the primary read progression is presnap: identify the front, then post snap key the flow of the pulling linemen and pick the crease as it opens, with the backside cutback lane as the secondary option if the play side gets clogged.
Watch for defensive ends and edge defenders crashing hard down inside, this is exactly what the counter action is designed to exploit since the misdirection pulls them out of position. Check linebacker alignment and depth before the snap, stacked or blitzing linebackers who key the backfield fast can blow up the play before the pullers get in front of the ball. Look for safeties cheating down into the box, a heavy run blitz look or eight man front with both safeties near the line signals the defense is sitting on run and this play could get gang tackled at the mesh point. Man coverage on the perimeter with no extra flow defenders is a green light since the counter action does not need receivers to win routes, it just needs numbers at the point of attack. Beware disciplined defenses that stay home and do not bite on the counter step, if the backside linebacker flows slow and reads the pullers, he can spill the play and force a negative gain.
Run this from balanced personnel counts and early down and distance situations, ideally first or second and manageable, to keep defenses honest against your pass heavy Doubles Flex Pats concepts like Patriots Drag and Patriots Spot.
Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at the box count to confirm you have numbers, if the defense stacks eight in the box consider checking to a hot route or bailing to RPO Power Alert instead.
Identify linebacker depth before the snap, if the mikes are sitting shallow and reading run keys hard, expect a fast fill and be ready to bounce outside off the pulling linemen.
Pair HB Counter with Mtn HB Sweep and Mtn HB Cross Screen in the same drive to keep the defense guessing between misdirection runs and quick perimeter shots, this keeps linebackers from sitting on the counter step.
Against aggressive user blitzers, trust your pulling linemen to seal the edge and stay patient behind them instead of trying to force the run before the lane develops.