Playbooks
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Counter Weak out of the Strong I Slot formation is a power run play designed to hit away from the strength of the formation, pulling blockers to the weak side to overload the point of attack. The diagram shows the HB taking a counter step before following his pulling linemen through the weak side hole, with the offensive line down blocking to create a wall while the guard and fullback lead through the hole. This is a run play, not a pass concept, so there are no route combos to beat man or zone coverage. The primary read progression for the ball carrier is to press the initial hole to sell the counter action, then read the pulling blocker's kick out block before deciding to cut inside or bounce outside based on the flow of the linebackers.
Defensive Reads
Watch for defensive linemen crashing hard down the line immediately after the snap since that is the tell for a run blitz that can beat the counter's delayed hole development. If the linebackers stay square and read their run fits without over pursuing the counter step, they can flow late and still fill the cutback lane. Man coverage on the backside with no extra run support in the box allows the counter to hit clean since defenders are locked on route responsibilities rather than crashing gaps. A stacked box with the strong safety cheating down pre-snap signals the defense is anticipating the run to the strength, which can leave the weak side lane vulnerable to the counter action. User-controlled defenders spying the backfield or shooting the weak side A gap can blow up the pulling guard's path before he reaches the point of attack, so watch for that user aggression at the snap.
Usage Tips
Run this play on early downs like first or second and short to medium distance when defenses are honoring base run fits and have not sold out to stop the pass.
Pre-snap, check the box count and look for the weak side defensive end and outside linebacker depth since this play attacks that edge with pulling blockers.
If the defense shows a heavy box with extra defenders crashing downhill, consider audibling to HB Toss or HB Stretch to hit the edge faster before the pullers get engaged.
Use PA Power O and PA Boot Slide from this same set after establishing Counter Weak to freeze linebackers with play action off similar backfield action.
Manually control the fullback or lead blocker if possible to ensure he seals the correct edge defender since whiffed lead blocks are the biggest reason this run gets blown up.
