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Counter

Shotgun·U Off Trips·12

Counter Run Play Power Run

Play diagram for Counter from Shotgun U Off Trips in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetU Off Trips

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

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Breakdown

Counter out of Shotgun U Off Trips is a Power Run design out of 12 personnel that pulls blockers across the formation to create a lead man on the point of attack. The diagram shows the HB taking a counter step away from the play call before pressing back downhill through the hole created by the pulling guard and lead blocker, with the offensive line down blocking to seal the interior. This is a run play built to attack aggressive downhill linebackers and gap-shooting defensive tackles, with the primary read being the HB reading the puller's block to decide between the B gap crease or bouncing outside if the edge is sealed.

Defensive Reads

Key the play side linebacker's first step, if he flows hard toward the initial counter action he is out of position once the ball cuts back. Watch for a user controlled defender sitting in the hole trying to read the pulling lineman, since that is the biggest threat to blow up this run. Check safety depth before the snap, a safety cheating down into the box can rob the cutback lane and force the HB to bounce outside into pursuit. Look for edge defenders crashing down on the counter step, this can open the perimeter but also risks a quick TFL if they read it fast enough. Beware of stacked fronts or bear fronts with extra defensive linemen, they clog the natural gaps this counter is designed to hit.

Usage Tips

Run this out of U Off Trips on early downs when you want to stay ahead of the chains and set up play action later in the drive.

Watch the defensive line alignment pre-snap, if you see the tackles shaded outside in a wide 9 technique the counter path back inside will hit even harder.

Use motion or check the Mike linebacker depth before the snap, if he is sitting tight in the box expect a fast flow read and be ready to bounce the run outside.

Pair this play with PA Jet Cross or PA TE Leak from the same set so the defense has to respect both the counter run action and the play action off the same formation and personnel.

Avoid calling this against interior blitz heavy fronts with a 3 technique crashing hard, since the counter timing can get blown up before the puller arrives.