Counter Y

Watch for a stacked box with the linebackers already sitting tight to the line since that flags a run blitz designed to beat counter action. Identify if the defense is in a 4-3 or 3-4 base front, since heavier fronts with extra defenders on the play side edge can blow up the pulling blocker's kickout. Check safety depth before the snap, a safety cheating down into the box signals run support that can outnumber the blocking scheme. Post-snap, key the play side defensive end and outside linebacker, if they stay disciplined and do not overpursue the counter step, the cutback lane disappears. Look out for a user-controlled defender flowing hard downhill on contain, that is the biggest threat to blow up the play before the puller can seal the edge.