Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Counter out of Shotgun U Off Trips is a 12 personnel power run play that pulls the backside guard and tackle (or fullback/TE depending on protection) to lead through the frontside hole after the offensive line steps down to sell zone flow. The diagram shows the HB taking a lateral counter step away from the play call before planting and cutting back downhill through the crease created by the pulling blockers, with the frontside TE and tackle sealing down inside. This is a base run play designed to attack overpursuing linebackers and gap-shooting defensive linemen, with the primary read being the play side kick out block and the puller leading through the hole for the HB to press the point of attack and read the flow of the second level defenders before deciding to bounce outside or stick it up inside.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a stacked box with eight or more defenders near the line of scrimmage, which signals the defense is selling out to stop the run and Counter should be checked to a pass. Identify if linebackers are flowing hard to the initial counter step, since disciplined linebackers who stay home in their gaps can blow up the cutback lane before the pull develops. Look for edge defenders crashing down inside on the counter action, which opens a bounce outside lane if the puller cannot get to the hole in time. Man coverage shells with linebackers in run/pass conflict are ideal since they are more likely to bite on the counter step and vacate the cutback lane. Beware of a defensive line stunt or nano blitz timed to the snap count, as this can beat the pulling blockers before they reach the point of attack and blow up the play in the backfield.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like first and ten or second and short to keep defenses honest and avoid predictable passing situations.
Check the box count pre-snap and only run Counter into light boxes or when linebackers are showing aggressive downhill triggers on tape.
Use manual control on the lead blocker to seal off the first unblocked defender in the hole and let the HB press the hole naturally off the puller's track.
Pair this with Power and Inside Zone from the same U Off Trips set so linebackers cannot key run direction based on formation tendencies.
Mix in RPO Alert Bubble or RPO Read Flat from this set on early downs to keep second level defenders honest against crashing hard on run fits.
