Playbooks

HB Counter

Shotgun·Doubles·11
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 3 playbooks

Sim Focusedtargeting Ba OffenseOffenseSim Focusedtargeting Ph OffenseOffenseSim Focusedtargeting Rn OffenseOffense

Breakdown

HB Counter out of Shotgun Doubles is a gap scheme run play that pulls the backside guard (and sometimes a tackle) to lead block for the HB as he counters back against the initial flow of the offensive line. It is designed to punish overaggressive linebackers and defensive linemen who shoot gaps hard to one side, using misdirection to create a natural cutback lane. The primary read progression for the HB is to press the play side hole to sell the flow, then patiently follow the pulling guard through the counter hole, reading the kickout and lead blocks before deciding whether to bend it back or press upfield.

Defensive Reads

Watch for the Mike linebacker's initial step at the snap, if he flows hard to the play side action, that confirms the counter cutback lane will be there. Identify if the defense is running a scrape exchange, where the backside defensive end sits home instead of chasing, since this is the primary counter to HB Counter and kills the cutback. Check safety depth pre-snap, a single high safety cheating toward the play side flow indicates the defense expects a normal run and is vulnerable to the counter. Look for a user-controlled defender spying the backfield or crashing down hard off the edge, since an aggressive edge crash can beat the pulling guard's kick block before the lead blocker gets set. Heavy blitz fronts with extra defenders in the box tend to shut this down quickly because there are not enough blockers to handle the extra rushers on the counter path.

Usage Tips

Run this out of 11 personnel on early downs when the defense is showing base or nickel fronts, since a light box makes the pulling guard more effective.

Use pre-snap motion or a quick alert check to bait linebackers into flowing hard before the snap, which sets up the counter action to hit harder.

Pair this call with 45 Quick Base or RPO Peek Slant from the same Doubles set so the defense has to respect both the counter run and the quick passing game off similar formation looks.

Avoid calling this against heavy blitz packages with fast flow linebackers who key the mesh point quickly, since the counter needs a beat to develop and can get blown up by an unblocked backside defender.

On third and short or goal line situations, this play works well because defenses often sell out on the initial flow direction, leaving the cutback lane wide open.

Other Plays in Doubles