Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Counter Str is a power run play out of Singleback U Off Trips with 12 personnel, showing two receivers stacked wide to one side and a trips bunch alignment on the play side. The blocking scheme pulls the play side guard and tackle to lead through the hole while the offensive line down blocks to create a misdirection counter step, sending the HB against the grain before he presses the pulling lead blockers. This is a run play designed to punish overaggressive fronts and gap shooters, and the primary read progression is patience: let the counter action develop, follow the pulling linemen through the designed gap, and be ready to bounce outside if the alley is clogged.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive ends and edge defenders crashing hard down the line, since aggressive gap shooters are the primary target of this counter scheme and will get pulled out of position by the misdirection. Check linebacker depth and flow pre snap, because linebackers who key the initial step and flow too fast toward the play fake side will be out of position when the ball actually breaks toward the counter side. Identify whether the defense is running a scrape exchange technique, since a disciplined defensive end sitting on the counter can blow up the play at the mesh point. Look for user-controlled defenders spying the backfield or sitting in the hole, as a smart human defender reading counter action can fill the gap before the pulling blockers arrive. Beware of stacked eight-man fronts or heavy run blitz packages, since counter schemes need a numbers advantage at the point of attack and can get stuffed if the defense sells out to stop the run.
Usage Tips
Run this out of a run-heavy personnel look on early downs like first and 10 or second and short to keep defenses honest and disguise your intentions with the trips formation. Check the defensive front pre snap for overloaded gaps or heavy blitz alignment, since counter schemes thrive against penetrating defenders who bite on the initial misdirection. If the defense shows a stacked box with extra defenders near the line of scrimmage, consider motioning a receiver to check the numbers before the snap. Pair this play with Inside Zone and HB Slam from the same set to keep linebackers guessing between zone and gap schemes, then hit them with this counter once they start flowing hard to the initial action. Use play action shots like PA Boot Slide or PA Dagger U Cross afterward once defenders start creeping up to stop the counter, since the run fake will hold linebackers and open up the passing concepts behind them.
