Playbooks

HB Counter

Shotgun·Trey Open·11

Counter Run Play Power Run

Play diagram for HB Counter from Shotgun Trey Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrey Open

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 2 playbooks

Run N Gun OffenseOffense Superstar HB Receiving

Breakdown

HB Counter out of Shotgun Trey Open is a gap scheme run play designed to pull blockers across the formation and create a natural cutback lane for the HB. The line and TE show down block action to the play side while the backside guard pulls to lead through the hole, misdirecting flow before the HB presses the line and cuts off the puller. This is a pure run play with no route combos on the diagram, built to attack overaggressive linebackers and beat downhill run defense with counter misdirection, and the primary read progression is press the initial hole, read the puller's block, then decide between the cutback lane or bouncing outside.

Defensive Reads

Attacking downhill linebackers who key the initial flow are the primary defenders this play exploits since counter action freezes and redirects their pursuit angles. Watch the play side defensive end and outside linebacker, if they crash hard down the line the cutback lane behind the pulling guard opens up immediately. Disciplined defenses that stay home and read blockers rather than flowing hard can shut this down, especially defensive tackles who hold their gap instead of chasing. Man coverage shells with linebackers spying the backfield can diagnose counter quicker due to fewer eyes lost in coverage responsibilities, so this run performs better against zone coverage shells. Look out for a user-controlled defender flashing into the backside gap before the snap, that is a sign the CPU or opponent anticipates the counter and will blow up the pulling lane.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to bait linebackers into flowing hard toward the initial play side action before the counter hits back the other way.

This play works best on early downs and run-heavy game states where defenses expect base runs, since aggressive user-controlled defenders biting on the flow open up the cutback.

Pair this with HB Off Tackle or Inside Zone earlier in a series so the defense commits to reading run flow one direction, then hit HB Counter to punish that tendency.

If the defense shows a stacked box or heavy blitz look pre-snap, consider checking to a quick pass like Stick or Quick Slants instead since counter needs time to develop.

Watch the puller's block leverage in real time and be patient, do not rush the cut, let the misdirection and pulling guard set the crease before accelerating through the hole.