Counter· 11v11 Tackle

intermediateaka Counter Treyaka Counter GT

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

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

: hand off to at the exchange point, then finish the drawn backfield action behind the line of scrimmage.
: counter — false step, then follow pullers to the back side.
: down block — drive your man INSIDE toward the playside gap, pin him so the pulling guard has a clean track.
: down block — drive your man INSIDE toward the playside gap, pin him so the pulling guard has a clean track.
: reach block playside — drive your man down the line, seal him inside.
: pull playside — kick out the first defender outside the tackle box.
: pull playside — get depth off the LOS, lead through the hole for the back.

Call sheet

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

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.

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

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.