Playbooks

Counter Y

Singleback·Bunch Ace·12

Counter Run Play Power Run

Play diagram for Counter Y from Singleback Bunch Ace in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

SetBunch Ace

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

In 4 playbooks

Sim Screenrunblend Ba OffenseOffense Sim Screenrunblend Ph OffenseOffense Sim Screenrunblend Rn OffenseOffense Singleback OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Counter Y is a Power Run play out of Singleback Bunch Ace that pulls the backside guard and puller to lead the HB through the hole, kicking out the edge and letting the running back counter step before hitting the crease. The single WR to the weak side runs a vertical route to hold the deep defender, while the bunch alignment to the strong side occupies the box with in line blockers and a TE crack look, sealing the edge for the counter action. This is not a play-action or RPO look, it is a pure gap scheme run play, and your primary read is the pulling blocker: press the initial counter step, then read the kick out block to decide between bending it back inside or bouncing outside if the edge gets sealed.

Defensive Reads

Watch for the play side defensive end squeezing down hard, since Counter Y depends on that kick out block landing clean to spring the HB outside. Check linebacker depth pre-snap, if the Mike and Will are sitting shallow and reading run keys instead of biting on the counter step, they will flow late and still make the tackle. Identify if the defense is running a 3-4 under front or a run blitz with an extra man in the box, both of these alignments can beat this play by getting quick penetration before the pullers arrive. Post-snap, key the backside linebacker's eyes, if he stays home instead of chasing the counter step he can blow up the cutback lane. Man coverage on the single receiver to the weak side does not matter much here since this is a run play, but zone shells with safeties crashing down quickly on run flow can rally to the ball before the counter fully develops.

Usage Tips

Run this on early downs like first and ten or second and short when the defense is base personnel and not stacked in the box expecting run. Check the alignment of the play side defensive end and outside linebacker before the snap, if they are crashing hard down the line the counter action will hit them out of position and open the cutback lane. Use the second gap read manually if you are user controlling the HB, do not just trust the AI blocking, that pulling guard will tell you whether to stay inside or bounce it outside. Pair this with Inside Zone Split and Duo earlier in a series to condition the defense into flowing hard one direction, then hit Counter Y to punish overaggressive linebacker fits. Avoid calling this against heavy blitz packages with an extra defender in the box unless you are confident in your pulling lineman winning a one on one, since counter action takes longer to develop and is vulnerable to fast interior penetration.