Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Counter F out of the Weak I H Close Off set is a Power Run play built with a 21 personnel grouping (2 RB, 1 TE). The diagram shows the offensive line pulling and blocking down to the play side while the ball carrier takes a counter step away from the flow before cutting upfield through the gap opened by the pulling blockers. This is a gap scheme run play, not a pass or RPO concept, so the primary read is simple: the ball carrier presses the counter action to sell the misdirection, then reads the pulling lineman(s) and the edge blocker to identify whether to bend the run inside off the double team or bounce it outside if the edge defender gets sealed.
Defensive Reads
Check safety depth before the snap. Two deep safeties with no extra run fitter usually means light boxes that this counter can exploit. Key the play side linebacker's first step. If he flows hard toward the initial line movement, the counter cutback lane will be there once the puller reaches the second level. Watch for a user-controlled defender crashing down hard off the edge. A disciplined edge defender who stays home can blow up the counter before the pulling guard or tackle arrives. Beware of stacked fronts with extra defenders in the box (eight in the box) since gap integrity on both sides makes it harder for the counter action to create a clean crease. Look for linebackers reading run keys through the offensive line rather than the backfield action. Disciplined linebackers who diagnose gap schemes quickly can beat the pullers to the point of attack and limit this to a short gain.
Usage Tips
Use pre-snap motion or a hard count to see if linebackers flow hard to the initial step, since Counter F punishes fast flow defenders and overaggressive linebacker fills.
Call this on early downs (1st and 10, 2nd and short to medium) when you want to stay balanced and keep the defense honest against your play-action shots like PA Power O.
Watch the box count before the snap. If the defense has six or fewer in the box with no extra run support, Counter F has a clean numbers advantage.
Pair Counter F with Power O and PA Power O from this same set so the counter step and the misdirection action look identical to your downhill run reads, forcing linebackers to freeze instead of flowing hard to the play side.
Against user linebackers who key the mesh point aggressively, hold the ball carrier's cut longer to let the counter action fully develop and let the pulling blockers get to the second level before committing to a lane.
