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Football Library · Plays

Counter· 6v6 Flag

intermediateaka Counter Treyaka Counter GT

5v5 Flag6v6 Flag11v11 Tackle

Misdirection run — back jab-steps strong, then takes the handoff toward the weak side.

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Add the diagram and assignments to your playbook, then tailor the details to your team.

Try another concept

Matched to this play and your game type.

01Jet ReverseAnother singleback answerMulti-handoff misdirection — initial fake one way, reverse runner attacks the vacated side.
02SweepAnother singleback answerWide perimeter run — back takes the exchange and attacks the edge.
03DiveAnother singleback answerNorth-south interior run — back takes the exchange and attacks the first open crease.
04DrawA different backfield answerLate-developing interior run that sells pass first — back takes a delayed handoff into the open middle.

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All plays Formations Routes

The design

How Counter works

Misdirection run.
The back jab-steps strong-side, then takes the handoff toward the weak side as defenders react to the false step.
In tackle, pulling linemen can lead the runner using league-legal blocks.
In non-contact flag, receivers run legitimate clearing routes and never block or screen.
Use only where handoffs and runs are allowed, outside any no-run zone.

Coach the details

Every player's job

: hand off to at the exchange point, then finish the drawn backfield action behind the line of scrimmage.
: counter — sell the initial direction, then change direction as the defense flows.
: 3-yard hitch inside — quick stop, eyes back to the QB on rhythm.
: 3-yard hitch inside — quick stop, eyes back to the QB on rhythm.
: 3-yard hitch inside — quick stop, eyes back to the QB on rhythm.
: 3-yard hitch inside — quick stop, eyes back to the QB on rhythm.

Call sheet

When and where to run it

Defensive lookAgainst an aggressive front that over-pursues to the back's initial step.
Game planThe misdirection at the snap pulls defenders away from the actual play side.
Game planIn tackle, make the jab match the offense's best outside action and keep the pullers tight off the down blocks.
Game planIf the edge wrong-arms the kick-out, spill the ball wider behind the second puller; if he stays upfield, cut inside immediately.
Game plan

In flag, replace pull blocks with routes that drag pursuit toward the false step.

Pre-snap to post-snap

Read the defense

Keys to watch

Against an aggressive front that over-pursues to the back's initial step.
The misdirection at the snap pulls defenders away from the actual play side.
If the edge wrong-arms the kick-out, spill the ball wider behind the second puller; if he stays upfield, cut inside immediately.
The back jab-steps strong-side, then takes the handoff toward the weak side as defenders react to the false step.

Be ready to change the answer

Cover 0: Anything that develops slowly — pressure gets home first Better answers: Four Verticals, Mesh, Slant-Flat, Smash
Cover 1: Outside vertical shots — the free safety caps them over the top Better answers: Mesh, Drive, Smash, Y-Cross, Four Verticals, Levels
Cover 2: The flats — the corner squats and jumps anything quick outside Better answers: Smash, Four Verticals, Flood
Tampa 2: The deep middle — the Mike runs it, so a straight seam is contested (unlike base Cover 2) Better answers: Smash, Flood
Cover 3: Deep outside — the three-deep shell caps outside verticals Better answers: Curl-Flat, Slant-Flat, Smash, Flood, Four Verticals, Snag, Dagger, Stick
Cover 4: Deep shots — four deep defenders make it very hard to win over the top Better answers: Stick, Snag, Slant-Flat, Curl-Flat, Mesh

Troubleshooting

What can break the play

Avoid it against a slow-reading defense that is not flowing with the initial action, or when backside penetration will collide with the pulling path.
Misdirection only buys space when pursuit reacts; otherwise the delayed track gives the front time to close.
Fake step too lazy; defenders read it. Must be a hard one-step fake to sell the strong-side action.
Pulling blockers trip over each other (tackle); need clean pull-around timing — backside guard pulls first, tackle follows.
Back turns up before the weak-side lane opens. In tackle, follow the assigned pullers; in non-contact flag, read the contain defender without expecting a block.