Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
HB Counter out of Singleback Bunch is a power run play built to hit off tackle with pulling blockers leading the way. The offensive line and the bunch tight end/receivers set the edge and seal the point of attack while the backside guard and tackle pull to kick out the defensive end and lead through the hole. The HB takes a counter step away from the play call before pressing back downhill through the designed gap, reading his pulling blockers as the primary progression: kick out block first, then the lead blocker into the second level.
Defensive Reads
Diagnose the linebacker depth pre-snap: stacked or crashing linebackers are easier to seal since the counter action slows their initial flow. Watch the play side defensive end and outside linebacker, if they sit and read instead of crashing down, the kick out block loses its angle and the run gets stood up. Identify single high versus two high safety shells, single high safety alignments leave the counter lane more vulnerable to an unblocked run support defender flying downhill. Key the backside pursuit, a disciplined backside defensive end who does not chase the counter step can blow up the cutback lane. User lurk defenders sitting in the hole between the tackles are the biggest threat, spy for a linebacker staying home instead of flowing with the counter fake.
Usage Tips
Run this on early downs like first and ten or second and short when defenses expect balanced play calling out of the bunch look.
Check the box count before the snap: if the defense has six or more in the box, consider hot routing a bunch receiver into a quick screen instead.
Use the counter step patience to bait linebackers into flowing hard playside, then cut back if the backside pulling guard gets a clean kick out.
Pair this play with HB Slam or Inside Zone Split from the same set so defenses cannot key on the counter action based on your run tendencies.
Against aggressive edge blitzes, this play excels because the pulling linemen naturally account for overloaded fronts on the play side.
