Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
HB Counter out of Singleback Y Trips is a power run play built to attack the backside edge with pulling blockers and misdirection. The offensive line shows down blocks at the point of attack while the fullback or guard pulls across the formation to lead the HB through the hole, and the diagram shows the HB taking a counter step before pressing back toward the play side. This is a run play designed to punish overaggressive linebacker flow and gap-shooting defensive fronts, with the primary read being the pulling blocker's kick out on the edge defender followed by the lead blocker turning up into the alley.
Defensive Reads
Key the play side defensive end and outside linebacker, if they crash hard down the line on the snap this play is designed to counter that aggression. Watch for a Mike linebacker who reads pulling blockers quickly, a disciplined backer who stays home and does not bite on the counter step can blow this play up. Against a nano blitz or edge pressure package, the pulling blocker may not get to the point of attack in time, so heavy pressure fronts can disrupt the timing. Check safety depth before the snap, if a safety is sitting close to the box in run support they can fill the alley fast and limit the counter to a short gain. Post snap, user the play side linebacker or safety immediately to close the cutback lane since the offense is banking on defenders flowing away from the eventual point of attack.
Usage Tips
Run this play when linebackers are showing aggressive downhill triggers or when the defense has been flowing hard to previous zone runs, since the counter action punishes overpursuit.
Use it on early downs like first and ten or second and short to stay ahead of the chains and keep the defense honest against your pass-heavy Y Trips concepts.
Watch the play side defensive end and linebacker depth before the snap, if they are crashing down hard on inside zone looks this is the counter punch that gets you an explosive gap.
Pair HB Counter with HB Stretch and Inside Zone in the same series so the defense cannot sit on one run direction, the misdirection hits harder once the defense keys zone flow.
Take manual control of your lead blocker after the snap so you can adjust the kick out block in real time if the defensive end squeezes down early.
