A counter run play is a misdirection play designed to confuse the defense and create big gains on the ground. It's a classic element of an offensive playbook, and in a spread offense, it can be particularly potent due to the spaces it can exploit.
Running the counter out of a spread offense has several advantages. The primary one being that the spread offense tends to pull defenders out of the box and spread them across the field, as they have to respect the possibility of a pass to any number of receivers. This means fewer defenders in position to stop the run, and thus, more space for our running back.
The counter play’s misdirection works to further exploit the defense's uncertainty. Since they are probably already spread thin against a spread formation, a well-Executed counter can put them out of position and unable to recover in time.
At the heart of the counter play, we have our offensive linemen and the roles they play. So let's talk about how it works from their perspective.
In the counter run, the offensive line moves in one direction at the snap, typically the direction the running back initially moves. The key here is the offensive line, who must sell this initial direction to the defense. As an offensive lineman, your first step is crucial. It needs to be aggressive and aimed towards the direction of the initial fake.
Two players - typically the backside guard and the backside tackle - will pull along the line of scrimmage, in the opposite direction of the initial line surge. The first puller (usually the guard) will look to block the first unblocked defender at the point of attack and the second puller will move upfield to take on a 2nd level defender (usually a linebacker or safety).
The running back, after making the fake, will pivot and take a handoff or pitch in the opposite direction - towards the area the pullers are now blocking. If executed correctly, this results in a big hole in the defense, as they've been drawn away from the actual direction of the play by the initial fake.
Now let's break down the responsibilities for each position on the offensive line.
- Center: The center's responsibility is to block down on the defensive lineman on them or to the side of the initial fake (back side). The center's primary goal is to secure the middle of the line of scrimmage and ensure no defenders penetrate through the middle.
- Play-side Guard and Tackle: The play-side guard and tackle will typically block down to sell the initial direction of the play. This usually results in a double team on the down lineman up to the linebacker towards the middle. Their goal is to secure the defensive line and linebackers on their side and sell the misdirection.
- Back-side Guard: The back-side guard's main task is to pull and block the first unblocked defender on the play side. This is usually the unblocked defensive end on the play side who has moved past the line of scrimmage. Depending on the movement of this defender, the guard will either kick him out or log him back inside. This requires excellent footwork and quickness to get across the formation and seal off the edge, creating the lane for the running back.
- Back-side Tackle: The back-side tackle will pull as well, targeting the second-level defenders. The tackle’s specific track is dictated but what they see from the pulling guard. If the guard kicks out the defender, then the tackle wraps inside that block to look for second level defenders. If the pulling guard logs the defender, then the tackle should wrap past that block to look for linebackers or safeties. This also requires good footwork and quickness as well as quick decision making on the move. The running back will be reading the path of the pulling tackle to see where the hole is opening.
Remember, all these responsibilities might slightly vary depending on the exact variation of the counter play your team is running. For example, in some schemes or against certain fronts, the backside guard will stay and block down and the center will pull instead. The center has the same assignment as the guard described above. Understanding these key responsibilities and practicing them regularly will make your execution of the counter run play more effective.
To effectively run a counter play in a spread offense, an offensive lineman needs to focus on several key areas in practice:
- Footwork: Footwork is critical in a counter play. The initial steps must sell the false direction convincingly, and the subsequent movement needs to be quick and precise. Practicing your steps until they're second nature will make you more effective in real game scenarios.
- Pulling: In a counter run, the guard, tackle, or sometimes a tight end or fullback, will need to effectively pull to the opposite side of the line. This means moving laterally along the line of scrimmage quickly and accurately to block a defender. This technique can be challenging to master, but it's essential for the play to work.
- Block Timing and Coordination: The counter play relies heavily on well-coordinated blocking. Not only must you sell the false direction, but you also need to time your block perfectly to open up the running lane. Working on your timing and coordination with fellow linemen and the running back is key.
- Aggressive Blocking: Whether you're pushing defenders in the false direction or pulling to block for the running back, your blocking must be aggressive and controlled. Practice driving through your blocks to create maximum space for your running back.
- Reading Defenses: Lastly, understanding defenses and how they react can help you anticipate problems and adjust your approach. The more you understand about defensive formations and tendencies, the better you can execute your role in the counter play.
Repetition is the key. The more you practice these skills, the more instinctive they'll become. This is what makes a truly effective offensive lineman in a spread offense.
The role of linemen in this play is crucial. A counter run play relies on timing, coordination, and aggressive blocking. You need to sell the fake direction convincingly, then execute your blocks precisely to open the way for your running back.
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