Playbooks
Mtn Counter out of Shotgun Heavy Panther is a power run play that uses counter blocking with a puller (or two) to seal the edge and create a misdirection lane opposite the initial flow. The offensive line steps one way while the backside guard and tackle (or fullback, depending on personnel) pull to lead the ball carrier through the designated hole, and the included motion adds an extra layer of misdirection to freeze linebackers before the snap. This is strictly a ground game concept built to beat aggressive downhill defenses and gap-shooting linebackers, with the primary read being the playside puller's block, if he kicks out the edge defender you press outside, if he logs him inside you cut it up through the wash.
Check the linebacker depth before the snap, linebackers sitting closer to the line of scrimmage in run-fit alignment signal a defense keying run tendencies against Heavy Panther personnel and will be quicker to flow with counter action. Identify the defensive end and outside linebacker leverage on the playside edge, if they are crashing hard down inside pre-snap the counter kick out block has a numbers advantage, but disciplined edge defenders who sit and read can blow this play up. Watch for a user-controlled linebacker spying the backfield or reading the puller, this is the biggest threat to Mtn Counter since a smart human defender will diagnose the counter step and flow to the puller instead of biting on the initial line movement. Look for a safety creeping down into the box pre-snap, an extra defender in the alley can erase the cutback lane and force the ball carrier to press outside into a bad angle. Recognize blitz packages that send extra defenders through the backside A or B gap, since the counter action can be exposed if the backside is not accounted for and a fast interior blitz beats the play to the mesh point.
Use the pre-snap motion to identify man versus zone, if a defender follows the motion man across the formation you know you are facing man coverage and linebackers are more likely to be locked into assignments rather than reading backfield flow.
Run this on early downs (1st and 2nd and short to medium) when defense shows a base front with linebackers stacked tight, the misdirection counter step is most effective against downhill, attacking defenses that flow hard to initial line movement.
Watch the count of defenders in the box before the snap, if the defense is in a light box (six or fewer) this play has a high hit rate, if it is loaded with seven or eight defenders consider audibling to a quicker hitting concept.
Pair Mtn Counter with Mtn HB Dive and Mtn Inside Zone in the same drive to keep linebackers guessing between misdirection counter action and quick downhill hits, this sequencing punishes defenders who start keying the counter step too fast.
Manually control the playside puller after the snap if you are skilled with user assignments, taking over that lead blocker lets you personally seal the most dangerous flowing linebacker and improves the chance of breaking into the second level.