Playbooks
Quick Reference
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Breakdown
Mtn Counter is a Shotgun power run play out of Flex Y Off 11 personnel that uses pre-snap motion into the backfield to bring an extra gap threat before the snap. The offensive line pulls the backside guard and tackle to lead through the counter gap while the H-back and TE seal the point of attack, sending the ball carrier on a counter path that hits off tackle. This is a run play designed to attack gap integrity and one-gap defenders who overcommit to the initial flow, with the primary read being the pulling guard's kick out block and the lead blocker's path to decide between the B-gap crease or bouncing outside.
Defensive Reads
Watch pre-snap safety depth, if both safeties sit deep in a two high shell the box should be lighter and the counter has room to hit off tackle. Key the play side defensive end and outside linebacker, if they crash hard down the line on the initial motion or snap flow, look for the cutback lane behind the pulling linemen. Identify if the Mike linebacker is reading the pulling guard, a disciplined Mike who stays home and spills the play can blow this up before the kick out block develops. Man coverage defenders who chase the man in motion across the formation open up natural running lanes since they vacate their run fit responsibilities. Aggressive nano blitzes or edge pressure packages that shoot gaps immediately can beat the pulling linemen to the point of attack, so avoid this call against known all out pressure tendencies.
Usage Tips
Use the pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is running with the man in motion, which tells you if you are facing man coverage or a base run front.
Run this out of early down situations like first and ten or second and short where defenses expect a pass or a simple inside zone look.
Pair Mtn Counter with Mtn PA Slide or PA Mtn Slide in the same set so the defense has to respect both the counter action and the play-action pass off identical formation and motion.
If the defense shows a heavy box with linebackers crashing downhill, hot route the TE or H-back into a quick out to hold the flow defender before the snap.
Sequence this play after Inside Zone or RPO HB Zone Alert to condition the linebackers to fill fast, then hit them with the counter misdirection to gash the backside cutback lane.
