Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
HB Counter out of Shotgun Trey Open pulls the backside guard and tackle across the formation to lead through the frontside gap while the offensive line executes a down block scheme to seal the point of attack. The HB takes a counter step away from the play call before pressing back downhill behind the pulling linemen, creating a misdirection look that punishes overaggressive linebacker flow. This is a pure run play with no route concept attached, and the primary read is the frontside puller: press the crease and read the lead blocker's kick out on the edge defender before making one cut upfield.
Defensive Reads
Attack light boxes with 6 or fewer defenders in the box, since Counter's blocking scheme wins numbers battles when the defense is playing pass-heavy personnel. Identify Mike linebacker depth pre-snap: a linebacker sitting shallow or crashing hard on the counter step is a sign the defense is reading run and will blow up the pulling lane. Beware nano blitz packages and edge pressure designed to beat the pulling tackle before the lead block sets up, especially from user-controlled defensive ends. Watch for safeties rotating down into the box post-snap, which signals run support and can close the cutback lane the HB is designed to hit. Zone defenses with linebackers reading gaps flat-footed are the easiest matchup, while gap-sound run blitzes from man coverage fronts are the toughest shell to beat with this call.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short to keep the defense honest against your pass-heavy Trey Open concepts like Curls, Mesh, and Dagger Deep Curl.
Watch pre-snap for stacked box counts inside 7 defenders, since Counter loses value against heavy run blitz fronts with extra defenders crashing downhill.
Use the initial counter step to bait linebackers into flowing hard one direction, then trust the pulling guard and tackle to create the cutback lane.
Pair this with HB Draw and Inside Zone in your play-calling sequence so defenders cannot key run direction based on formation alone.
Against user-controlled defenders spying the backfield, delay your cut slightly longer to let the second puller clear before turning upfield.
