Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 15 playbooks
Breakdown
Fk Cheat HB Counter is a power run play out of Singleback Tight Y Off with 11 personnel that uses a fake counter action to sell misdirection to the play side before the ball carrier cuts back. The diagram shows the HB taking a step toward the play side then redirecting on a counter path behind pulling blockers, with the offensive line down blocking to seal the point of attack while the backside guard or tackle pulls to lead through the hole. This is a run play designed to attack gap integrity, and the primary read progression is patience on the mesh point, letting the counter action develop, then reading the pulling blocker's kick out or lead block to decide whether to bend the run outside or hit it up inside the alley.
Defensive Reads
Read the defensive line gap spacing before the snap, if the front is stacked with heavy interior linemen the counter bounce path outside becomes the better lane. Key the play side linebacker's first step, if he flows hard with the initial fake he is out of position to make the tackle on the cutback. Watch for edge defenders staying home instead of crashing, disciplined edge play against counter action can string the run out and force a negative gain. Look for safeties creeping into the box pre-snap, that usually signals run blitz or an eight man front which can beat this play if the puller is picked off early. Man coverage on the perimeter with no extra run support in the box is the ideal look for this play since it isolates blockers on second level defenders in space.
Usage Tips
Use this out of standard run downs like second and short or first and ten to keep the defense honest before you unleash the play action shots in this set. Watch defensive line width pre-snap, if the front is squeezed tight to stop dive concepts the counter bounce outside will hit big because the puller has room to work. Motion into this play from Tight Y Off to check defensive alignment shifts, if the defense adjusts to run support you have PA Cheat Cross and PA Cheat Post Cross in the playbook that hit off the same look. Pair this play with HB Dive and Cheat HB Dive Wk earlier in a series so the counter action feels natural to a defense keying inside zone. Take control of the puller manually if you are worried about a linebacker filling the alley too fast, that user control can be the difference between a stuffed run and a house call.
