Playbooks
Breakdown
Mtn Counter Y is a Shotgun Y Off Trips power run play built around counter action to the backside. The line pulls to create a lead blocker through the hole while the offset back takes the counter path, misdirecting flow before hitting the crease off tackle. The tight end and receiver stay in as blockers or check into short routes to hold second level defenders, and the primary read is the counter run itself, hitting downhill once the pulling guard clears the point of attack.
Defensive Reads
Watch for linebackers flowing hard to the play side motion, since disciplined backers who stay home can blow up the counter path. Identify one high safety shells presnap, since defenses in single high tend to load the box and can beat this with an extra run defender. Look for edge defenders crashing down on the initial flow, as this is exactly what the counter is designed to exploit with the pulling blocker. Post snap, key the play side linebacker's first step, if he bites on the flow fake the cutback lane will be there. Defenses that stay disciplined with gap integrity and keep a safety in the alley shut this run down, especially with quick trigger user linebackers spying the counter action.
Usage Tips
Use this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and short when defenses are keying pass out of trips formations.
Check linebacker depth before the snap, if they are sitting flat footed at the snap the counter action will freeze them and open the crease.
Motion into trips can bait the defense into rotating coverage, giving you a numbers advantage in the box for the run.
Pair this with RPO Counter Alert Shock or RPO Counter Peek off the same look so defenders have to respect both the run and the quick pass answer.
Avoid calling this against heavy inside blitz packages since the pulling lineman needs time to get to the point of attack, instead mix in HB Dive or Inside Zone to keep defenders honest.
