Playbooks
In 16 playbooks
Breakdown
Counter Weak out of Strong I Close (21 personnel) is a power run play that pulls blockers to the weak side away from the strong side alignment shown in the diagram. The line shows a down block and kickout scheme up front while the fullback and offside guard pull to lead through the weak side hole, with the HB taking a counter step before pressing the point of attack. This is not a man or zone beater, it is a gap scheme run designed to attack aggressive front sides and misdirection flow, so the primary read is patience: press the mesh point, read the pulling blockers' kickout on the edge defender, then cut off the lead block into the alley.
Defensive Reads
Key the strong side linebacker and edge defender pre-snap, if they are crashing hard to the strong side flow they are prime candidates to get kicked out or sealed on the counter action. Watch for defenses that stay disciplined with a hard EDGE or scrape exchange technique on the backside, this eliminates the cutback lane and forces the runner into traffic. User-controlled defenders sitting in the backfield or spying the mesh point can blow up the counter before the pullers get set, so quick recognition from the defense on the counter step is a major key. Overloaded fronts or run blitzes to the strong side get gashed by this weak side counter, but a two-gapping defensive tackle backside can shoot the gap and disrupt the timing. Safeties rotating down hard to the strong side pre-snap leave the weak side alley open, so a defense showing single high with no backside safety support is vulnerable to this run.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check the front's strength and confirm the defense has flowed toward the strong side, since Counter Weak punishes overpursuit and fast flow linebackers.
Use the counter step and let the pullers get in front before hitting the hole, mashing the sprint button too early kills the misdirection and blocking angles.
This play pairs well with HB Dive and FB Dive from the same set, since those quick hitters make defenses key on the strong side and freeze linebackers on the counter action.
Best called on early downs (1st or 2nd and medium) when you want to stay ahead of the chains and set up strong side play action off the same look later in the series.
Against heavy blitz shows, expect the counter to hit late so be ready to bounce outside if the backside pursuit collapses the play early.
