Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Counter Wk is a power run play out of Singleback Wing Tight that pulls backside blockers across the formation to lead the HB through the weakside gap. The diagram shows the offensive line down blocking to the play side while the counter action develops away from the initial flow, with the HB taking a wide track before cutting upfield off his lead blockers. This is a run play designed to attack gap fits with misdirection, forcing linebackers to bite on the initial flow before the ball is actually run to the weak side. The primary read progression starts with the frontside double team and combo blocks, then works to the pulling blockers to see which gap opens first, and finally the HB reads the kickout block to decide between bouncing outside or cutting up inside.
Defensive Reads
Watch the linebacker depth pre-snap, if they are stacked tight to the line expecting run you want your user defender spying the pulling guards to jump the counter lane immediately. Identify the defensive end and outside linebacker leverage on the play side, if they are crashing hard down the line the counter can be sealed before the kickout block even gets set. Look for a defense in a 4-3 under or 46 front, these fronts with extra bodies in the box are built to blow up counter runs by reading the pulling linemen and filling gaps fast. Post-snap, track whether the linebackers step up and flow with the initial line combo action or hold their gap discipline, disciplined linebackers who do not bite are the key to shutting this down. User controlled defenders sitting in the backfield or spying the HB can erase the cutback lane, so if you see a user flowing to the mesh point early expect the counter to get strung out for a loss.
Usage Tips
Run this out of a base personnel look on early downs to keep the defense honest against your play-action shots from the same Wing Tight formation.
Check the box count pre-snap, if the defense has six or more in the box you want to check to a quick pass instead of forcing the counter into a loaded front.
Use manual motion or a jet motion tag if available to get an extra numbers advantage before the snap and confirm whether the defense is playing zone or man based on how the second level flows.
Pair this with HB Power O and HB Ace Power in your play calling sequence so linebackers cannot key on the pulling guard action, then hit them with PA Ctr Waggle or PA Boot off the same counter footwork to punish overaggressive run fits.
On third and short or goal line situations this is a great called shot because the misdirection freezes over eager linebackers who are selling out to stop inside zone or dive concepts.
