Playbooks

HB Counter

Shotgun·Spread·10

Counter Run Play Power Run

Play diagram for HB Counter from Shotgun Spread in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSpread

Personnel

101 RB · 0 TE · 4 WR

In 4 playbooks

Run N Gun OffenseOffense Superstar QB Gunslinger Superstar WR Deep Threat Superstar WR RAC

Breakdown

HB Counter out of Shotgun Spread 10 personnel is a pure power run play designed to attack the backside gap with pulling linemen. The diagram shows the four receivers running off vertical stems to clear out defenders and hold cornerback attention downfield, while the offensive line executes a counter blocking scheme with the guard and tackle pulling to kick out the edge defender and lead through the hole. The HB takes a counter step away from the play side before pressing back through the vacated gap, and the primary read progression is the pulling guard leading the back through the designated hole based on how the defensive front flows.

Defensive Reads

Watch for base 4-3 or 3-4 fronts with light boxes since counter loses value against heavy run blitz looks that stack extra defenders inside. Key the backside defensive end and outside linebacker pre snap, because if they are disciplined and stay home on the counter step, the pulling linemen will not have a clean angle to kick them out. Identify the alley defender, usually a safety or slot corner, since a fast flowing alley defender who reads counter quickly can blow up the play before the lead blocker gets there. Look for user controlled defenders sitting inside the tackle box, as a spy or lurk defender reading the pulling guard can beat the timing of the play and force a negative gain. Man coverage on the outside receivers with no extra run support in the box is the ideal shell for this play, while zone blitzes with fast flowing linebackers to the counter side shut it down.

Usage Tips

Use this play on early downs like first and ten or second and short when the defense is likely to sit in base personnel rather than stack the box with extra defenders.

Check the defensive front pre snap and look for light boxes or defenders cheating outside, since counter thrives when the backside edge defender bites on the initial counter step.

Motion the HB or shift a receiver to bait linebackers into showing blitz or run fits before the snap, giving you a clearer picture of where the alley defender will fill.

Pair this play with HB Draw and Inside Zone in the same drive to keep linebackers guessing between gap schemes and zone reads, forcing them to hesitate on run fits.

Manually control the pulling guard after the snap so you can adjust the kick out block in real time against a crashing edge defender or a blitzing linebacker.