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Quick Reference
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Breakdown
HB Counter Str is a power run play out of Singleback Ace with 12 personnel that pulls the backside guard and tackle to lead the HB through a designed misdirection path. The blocking scheme sends the running back initially toward one side before he plants and cuts opposite, following the pulling linemen to seal the edge or crash inside depending on the flow of the defense. This is a pure run play, not a play-action or RPO, and the primary read is the pulling blockers: identify whether the linebackers flow hard with the initial counter step, and if they do, cut off the pullers into the alley left by overpursuit.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive ends or edge defenders crashing hard down inside at the snap, since that is exactly the kind of aggressive read this counter action is designed to punish. Check linebacker depth before the snap: linebackers sitting shallow and square are more likely to bite on the counter step, opening the cutback lane. If the defense shows a heavy run blitz or stacked box with safeties creeping into the box pre-snap, expect Counter Str to get blown up at the mesh point before the pullers can get set. Post-snap, track the backside pursuit of the defensive line and linebackers; if they stay disciplined and do not flow with the initial step, the counter has nowhere to go and you should bail to a pass option next play call. Beware of a contain defender or a spy sitting outside the tackle box, since a disciplined edge player who does not bite on the counter action can blow up the pulling lineman and string the run out.
Usage Tips
Run this against aggressive downhill linebackers who flow fast to the initial step of the counter action, since their overpursuit creates the cutback lane you need.
Use pre-snap motion or a quick glance at safety depth to confirm you are not staring at a stacked box with eight or nine defenders, since Counter Str dies against gap-sound run fits.
Pair this play with HB Dive and Inside Zone earlier in a drive so the defense keys on straight downhill runs, then hit them with the misdirection of Counter Str once linebackers start cheating their first step.
On third and short or first and ten, call this in bunches with HB Counter and Pin Pull Sweep to build a counter and sweep package that keeps defenders guessing on gap direction.
User the fullback or lead blocker if your playbook gives you control, and manually seal the first unblocked defender off the edge instead of trusting the AI block, especially against a nano blitz off the edge.
