Early on in the fall of 2022 we had our dual threat QB go down without a clear backup in sight. That meant we had to make big adjustments from our zone read RPO game to a gap scheme read system. Week 5 we found our groove at the counter, and finished the season with 7 yards per carry on counter and had our freshman running back average 6.8 yards per carry. We have a few counter variations, all G/T Counter (Counter Trey) based: Counter Read out of 10 personnel, and Counter Trey RPO.
All variations of Counters have the same fundamental blocking scheme for the front five offensive lineman. In a base 4-4 defense, with a 4-2 box, we want to manipulate the front to where we can back block the 0/1 technique with the center, and get a real front side double team with the Guard and Tackle. That 3 tech double may take some time but it gives either the play side guard or play side tackle a better angle to that backside inside linebacker. Additionally with us, our center is our least athletic lineman so a 1 tech is an easier down block.
Frontside Blockers
The technique for that down block is that we want to make a T with the defender. First step as a winning angle. The winning angle step is the first step that you would take if you were to run across the defender’s face. Second step is to T off the defender, allowing for maximum leverage. With the second step, the offensive lineman will drive his outside hand under the shoulder pads of the defender, using his other hand to keep the defender within an acceptable non holding distance. This displacement does not need to be extreme, but enough to not affect the double team on the 3 tech from the front side (FS) guard and tackle.
The double team technique is simple, two hands on the first level defender and four eyes on the second level defender. We use the Tractor Trailer method. The tractor finishes the block, and the trailer attacks the second level defender. The tractor and trailer are not decided pre-snap, but determined during the play. As previously mentioned the FS guard and tackle should have four eyes on the second level defender. The tractor and trailer are determined by the direction the second level defender flows.
Backside Blockers
The first pull is the flat or counter pull. The guard will put his mental weight on his outside foot, push off his outside foot and drive his inside foot towards the playside C gap defender. He will square his shoulders to the sideline and collide the C gap defender with his eyes looking to the inside with his shoulder and his flipper engaged, driving feet after contact. If the C gap defender squeezes down the guard will seal him into the offensive line creating a bounce path for the RB and tackle. The skip pull or “J” pull is more of a shuffle based on the distance needed to cover from the backside C-gap to the play side B-gap. The tackle will drive off his outside foot into a shuffle around the down block and double team and insert into the hole generated by the double team, eyeing the playside inside linebacker and attacking his inside shoulder (ideally). If the linebacker tries to fill in, the OL will take his best path.
Skill Positions
Skill position techniques are as follows. The running back will take a counter step towards the back side, go through the mesh with his inside hand up, and follow the inside hip of the second puller through the hole. The fullback, when he is designated to block, will approach the offensive line and banana angle out with a flipper to occupy the defensive end. The QB will take a small step back to allow for the RB to cross his face and stare down the read key on the specific play. The RPO is backside: the inside WR runs a speed out and the outside WR runs a 3 step slant.
Variation 1
Variation 1 is true Counter Trey. As we explained above its a two pull counter with a fullback kick out. We can play games with what we do with the WR, but at the root of it we just want to run the Counter.
Variation 2
Variation 2 is the counter read, which is our 10p Counter. Upfront does the same thing as always, which goes for the RB also. Our first level read is the C-gap defender. I don’t like using the term defensive end in teaching because it’s too concrete. It involves more teaching but it also helps us avoid hyper focusing on one person. If that defensive end follows the second puller then the QB pulls the ball and fills in in the gap the DE vacated. I don’t like to over coach the QB on where to run other than giving him an aiming point. Sometimes you will have a QB that can take it all the way, others can get you 4 yards. As long as it keeps them honest and makes them have to account for two people, it’s a great option.
Variation 3
Variation 3 is our Counter RPO or “Viper.” We like the Counter RPO. It’s a slower developing play because of the two pullers and that allows for more time for the RPO read. This is a 20p variation for us. We run Counter normal, that includes the FB and the Tailback. We do have to manipulate our formation to have a two receiver surface to the back side of the counter play. We have the #1 receiver run a slant, and our #2 receivers run a speed out. We want that slant to be 3 steps and give the WR the ability to alter his aiming point based on the defensive alignment we see on film, and give him the option to park the route if the area is open, which they rarely take. The slant is the main route in our RPO. The speed out is an attempt to clear the area, and we want that as shallow as we can get it. If the OLB fills in we throw the RPO to replace him, if he delays we hand it off. When in doubt, run it out. We will run the RPO routes even on plays we don’t use to see how they are playing it and to give the defense one more thing to occupy man power with.
Conclusion
Counter was great for us. We were zone based, and quickly found out that we could lean on the ole’ reliable Counter Trey as our primary run game. Joey Middleton, who co-wrote this, was tasked with revolving around the Counter game. If you need anything else feel free to reach out at dguglielmo@cps18.org or on Twitter at @Coach_Guglielmo.
