Playbooks
Breakdown
HB Counter out of Shotgun Trips TE is a power run play that pulls the backside guard and tackle across the formation to lead through the hole while the play-side line down blocks to seal the point of attack. The RB takes a counter step away from the play direction before pressing back opposite the flow, following his pulling linemen through the designated gap. This is a gap scheme run designed to attack aggressive downhill run fits and beat overpursuing linebackers, with the primary read being the pulling guard: press the hole hard off his hip and cut based on how the second-level defenders flow to the counter action.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defenses that fast flow or scrape hard to the trips side, since the counter action is designed to gash cutback lanes created by that overpursuit. A Mike linebacker who reads pulling linemen quickly and stays home can blow this play up before the puller reaches the hole. Odd front alignments with a shaded nose and 3-technique into the trips side tend to funnel this run to bounce, so track backside contain from the defensive end. User-controlled linebackers sitting in the A or B gap and reading backfield flow immediately are the biggest threat to string this out for a loss. Against zone-heavy defenses that spill everything to the sideline, this counter action needs a patient press step or it will get strung out before the puller can seal the edge defender.
Usage Tips
Run this out of shotgun on early downs when the defense is stacking the box expecting trips-side pressure or pass coverage bias. Check the linebacker depth pre-snap: if they are shaded hard to the trips side or creeping downhill, the counter hits away from that flow for a bigger gap. Use your own hit stick or ball carrier skill to bait the play-side defenders into flowing before you press back to the counter side. Pair this with RPO Alert Bubble and Read Option Bubble from the same set so the defense has to respect perimeter run-pass action and cannot sell out on the counter action every snap. Best used on first and second down between the twenty yard lines where defenses are more willing to load the box, and mix in China Y Post or PA Counter Go off similar backfield action to keep safeties honest.
