HB Counter Wk

Watch for linebackers cheating toward the play call side pre-snap since that tells you the defense is reading run flow rather than honoring counter action. If the defense stacks the box with 8 defenders or shows a heavy run blitz look, this play gets clogged fast because counter needs time for the pullers to get around. User controlled defenders flowing hard with the initial fake will get gashed once the ball cuts back weak side, so this beats aggressive user linebacker play. Cover 3 and Cover 1 with fast flowing linebackers are the toughest shells against this run since fast pursuit closes the cutback lane before the pulling guard can seal it. Look for the weak side end and outside linebacker crashing down on the counter step, since that opens the bounce outside for a home run cutback lane.