Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Mtn Counter Str is a power run play out of Singleback Wing Pair that uses counter action to attack the edge with pulling linemen. The diagram shows a tight offensive line with a wing to the strong side and a lone receiver split out, with the HB taking a counter step before hitting the hole behind the pulling guard and tackle. This is a run play designed to sell misdirection to the front seven, freezing linebackers with the counter step before the ball carrier presses downhill. The primary read progression starts with the pulling blockers setting the edge, then the HB reading the kickout block before deciding to bend it back inside or bounce it outside.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check if the defense stacks extra defenders to the strong side wing, since that alignment often signals a run blitz designed to beat counter action. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step hard toward the initial flow of the counter, the cutback lane behind the puller will be there. Aggressive edge defenders who crash inside on the counter step create a natural bounce lane outside the tackle box. Man coverage on the backside receiver can leave the counter unaccounted for if the defense commits extra bodies to stop the run, so check if the CB is playing off or bailing early. If the defense shows a heavy box with safeties creeping down pre-snap, this play can get gang tackled quickly, so be ready to check to a pass concept from the same set.
Usage Tips
Run this from early down and distance situations where defenses expect a standard run and are keying on the strongside wing for a possible outside handoff or motion.
Watch for linebackers cheating hard to the strong side pre-snap, since the counter action is designed to punish overaggressive downhill fits.
Use motion sparingly before the snap to bait linebackers into flowing the wrong direction, then trust the pulling guard and tackle to open the alley.
Pair this with HB Inside Zone and 26 Duo from the same set so defenders cannot sit on one blocking scheme and start jumping the counter step.
On the user side, take manual control of the puller if the CPU blocker whiffs, and be ready to cut the run back inside if the edge defender crashes down too fast.
