Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
Counter Trey out of Shotgun Y Trips Offset is a gap scheme power run play designed to pull blockers across the formation and create a lead hole for the ball carrier. The diagram shows a trips receiver bunch to one side with a single receiver split out weak, and the offensive line executing down blocks while the backside guard and tackle pull to lead through the play side hole. The HB takes a counter step away from the play call direction before pressing back downhill behind the pulling blockers, making the primary read the flow of the pulling linemen and the leverage of the play side linebacker and edge defender.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, identify where the play side linebacker is aligned and whether the defense has shifted the front toward the trips side, since that alignment tells you if the counter hole will be occupied or clean. Watch for a crashing defensive end or edge rusher on the backside, as an unblocked or contained edge defender can blow up the counter action before the pullers get outside. Post-snap, key the flow of the linebackers: if they immediately flow hard toward the initial counter step direction, the misdirection has worked and the cutback lane opens. This run struggles against gap-sound defenses that stay disciplined and do not bite on the counter step, particularly stacked fronts with a strong-side linebacker sitting still. User-controlled defenders who diagnose the pull and shoot the gap or a safety who reads run fast and fills downhill can stop this play before the double team and lead block develop.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs in normal or base personnel looks where the defense has not declared an overload blitz, since Counter Trey needs numbers at the point of attack to work. Check the box count before the snap and if you see six or more defenders stacked in the box, consider bailing to a hot route pass or checking to a play from this set like RPO Bubble Y Pop instead. Use manual player lock on your pulling guard to help him climb to the second level defender if the CPU blocker whiffs or gets picked off by a stunt. Pair this with Inside Zone and Outside Zone earlier in a drive so the defense commits to reading zone flow, then hit them with the counter action to punish overaggressive linebacker pursuit. Against aggressive man or Cover 0 blitz teams, this play punishes edge defenders who crash hard since the counter step and pulling blockers exploit the vacated gap.
