Playbooks

Mtn HB Counter

Shotgun·Spread Y-Slot Wk·11

Counter Motion Run Play Power Run

Play diagram for Mtn HB Counter from Shotgun Spread Y-Slot Wk in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSpread Y-Slot Wk

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 4 playbooks

Lions OffenseOffense Steelers OffenseOffense NFL Live Lions OffenseOffense NFL Live Steelers OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Mtn HB Counter is a Shotgun power run play out of the 11 personnel Spread Y-Slot Wk set, featuring a counter action from the HB that pulls linemen from one side to the other to create a lead blocker at the point of attack. The diagram shows the offensive line stepping laterally to sell one direction before the HB cuts back, with the play design relying on misdirection to freeze linebackers and gap defenders. This is strictly a power run play with no play-action or pass concept attached, and the primary read progression is the backside pulling guard leading through the hole while the HB reads the block and picks the cutback lane based on how the defensive front flows.

Defensive Reads

Check the box count pre snap, if the defense has six or more defenders in the box, this play faces a numbers disadvantage and should be avoided unless you have a strong pulling guard matchup. Look for linebackers flowing hard to the initial line movement, since overpursuit to the play side is exactly what counter action is designed to exploit for the cutback. Beware of a Mike linebacker who sits and reads instead of flowing, since disciplined linebackers can blow up the counter timing by staying home in the cutback lane. Man coverage on the perimeter with no extra run support in the box is ideal for this play, since it removes an extra defender who could otherwise crash down on the pulling blockers. Watch for a nano blitz or edge defender crashing inside hard and fast off the snap, since this can beat the counter blocking assignment before the pullers get set and kill the play in the backfield.

Usage Tips

Run this play on early downs like first and second and short to medium yardage when you need to establish tempo against base fronts.

Watch the linebacker depth pre snap, if the Mike and Will are stacked tight to the line, counter action will hit them late and open up the cutback lane.

Use motion pre snap to identify if the defense is running man or zone match, since a defender following the motion man signals man coverage and can bait extra defenders out of the box.

Pair Mtn HB Counter with Mtn HB Buck Sweep and Inside Zone in the same series to keep linebackers guessing on run direction, since all three plays start with similar line movement but hit different gaps.

Avoid calling this against aggressive gap sound defenses with defensive tackles crashing hard, since the counter blocking scheme needs a beat to develop and can get blown up by fast penetration.