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Breakdown
HB Counter out of Shotgun Trips is a gap scheme run play built to attack the backside edge with pulling linemen. The diagram shows the offensive line blocking down at the point of attack while a lineman pulls from the backside to kick out the edge defender, with the HB taking a counter step away from his landing spot before pressing back downhill through the alley created by the pull. This is a run play, not a man or zone beater, and the primary read progression is the pulling blocker leading through the hole: identify the kickout block first, then read the lead blocker to decide whether to press the A gap or bounce it outside.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check linebacker depth and shade since fast flow linebackers who key the initial line movement are the primary target of counter's misdirection. Look for defensive ends or edge defenders who crash hard upfield, they are the ones the kickout block is designed to seal. If the defense is stacked in a nickel or dime look with fewer box defenders, they are more vulnerable to gap schemes since counter can exploit lighter fronts with fewer gap fillers. User-controlled defenders who stay disciplined and scrape over the top will shut down the cutback lane, so successful reps depend on the CPU or user defender biting on the counter step. Blitz packages that send extra defenders off the edge can beat this play before the pull gets set, so check pre-snap for overloaded fronts or crashing safeties in the box.
Usage Tips
Run this out of Trips to get numbers advantage away from the trips side since defenses often shift extra defenders toward the three receiver side.
Use the counter step patiently and let the pulling guard or tackle get in front before making your cut, resist the urge to rush the aiming point.
Best called on early downs (1st and 10, 2nd and medium) or short yardage situations where defenses are more likely sitting in base fronts instead of nickel or dime.
Watch for a crashing defensive end or an overaggressive linebacker filling too fast, since counter is designed to make those fast flow defenders miss the play entirely.
Pair this with Inside Zone and HB Sweep from the same formation to keep run fits honest, then mix in RPO Alert Screen or RPO Zone Alert Screen so defenders cannot sell out on run keys.
