Playbooks

HB Counter U

Shotgun·Wing Slot Wk·12
CounterRun PlayPower Run
Play diagram for HB Counter U from Shotgun Wing Slot Wk in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

HB Counter U is a Power Run out of Shotgun Wing Slot Wk with 12 personnel, built to attack the backside edge with a counter blocking scheme. The offensive line pulls the backside guard and uses a lead blocker to seal the point of attack while the HB takes a jab step opposite the flow before pressing the hole, creating misdirection against flowing linebackers. This is a run play with no route combos on the diagram, so the primary read is the HB's one cut decision based on how the edge and second level defenders react to the pulling blockers.

Defensive Reads

Watch the play side edge defender first. If he crashes down hard on the initial flow, the counter has a natural crease outside. Key the linebacker depth before the snap. Linebackers sitting shallow or already leaning toward the strength are prime candidates to get sealed by the pulling guard. Post-snap, track any user-controlled defender flowing with the jab step fake. If he overpursues, the cutback lane opens immediately behind the double team. This play struggles against gap-sound fronts with disciplined linebackers who stay home and read the pulling linemen instead of the ball fake. Be wary of a strong safety or nickel defender sitting in the alley pre-snap, since a fast flowing force player can blow up the counter before the puller gets to the point of attack.

Usage Tips

Run this play on early downs (1st and 10 or 2nd and short) when you want to establish tempo and set up your RPO game later in the drive.

Check the defensive front pre-snap. If both linebackers are stacked tight to the box with no extra run support, the counter path has room to develop.

Use the jab step timing to bait aggressive user linebackers into flowing hard one direction before you cut against the grain.

Pair this play in sequence with RPO Power Peek or RPO Power Alert Glance from the same set so the defense has to respect both the counter action and the peek route off similar blocking.

If the defense shows a heavy edge blitz or extra man in the box, kill this play at the line and check into Inside Zone or a quick RPO instead.

Other Plays in Wing Slot Wk