Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
RPO Counter Read pairs a Counter run scheme out of 12 personnel with a run pass option tag that puts a conflict defender in a bind. The quarterback reads the play side alley defender or overhang linebacker: if he steps up to fill the run lane, the QB pulls and throws to the peek route, and if he sits or drops into coverage, the QB hands off to the counter action behind the pulling linemen. This is primarily a run play with a pass alert built in, making it effective against both light boxes and defenses that key hard on the counter guards pulling.
Defensive Reads
Watch the play side linebacker depth presnap, since a linebacker sitting shallow or cheating toward the counter gap tips his intent to crash the run fit Look for safety rotation after the snap, as a single high shell often means the alley defender is unsupported and more likely to bite on the run fake User the conflict defender yourself if you are on defense, staying disciplined in the run fit while keeping eyes on the peek route to avoid getting frozen by the RPO read This play struggles against nano blitzes or aggressive edge pressure that beats the counter blockers before the pulling linemen can seal the alley, so watch for overload fronts and quick penetrating defensive ends Zone coverages with a hard flowing linebacker to the counter side and a corner sinking under the peek route shut down both options, forcing a low value handoff into a stacked box
Usage Tips
Check the box count before the snap and only pull the trigger on the run side if you count six or fewer defenders in the box against your blockers
Identify whether the defense is showing man or zone shell presnap, since a hard-crashing Sam or Will linebacker is your read key for the pass option
Use the hot route to adjust the peek receiver into a quick out or slant if you see a corner sitting soft in off coverage, giving you an easy completion versus zone beaters
This play works best on early downs in run heavy personnel packages, particularly first and second and short, where defenses are more likely to sell out against the counter action
Sequence this with RPO Zone Peek and RPO Read Cntr from the same Wing Stack Wk set so the defense cannot key on guard pull direction, keeping second and third level defenders honest
