Counter Y

Watch linebacker depth pre-snap, stacked or heavy box linebackers who bite hard on counter action can be exploited if a user defender does not disciplined fit the puller. Identify whether the edge defender is boxed or crashing inside, since Counter Y depends on that puller kicking out a defender who holds the edge rather than one who is already inside the tackle box. Beware of a user spy or linebacker sitting in the counter gap, this is the primary way to blow up the play since the cutback lane disappears if that defender does not flow with the fake. Look for a safety rotating down into the box on the play side, since an extra run defender at the second level can beat the numbers advantage the counter blocking scheme is designed to create. Man coverage on the perimeter with no extra hole defender is where this run hits hardest, but a well timed inside blitz or A gap shoot can beat the counter before the puller gets set.