By Keith Grabowski
The counter scheme can be found in just about every type of offense. Whether it’s the spread, the wing-t, or even an option offense, the scheme is effective because it creates angles for the offensive line, and flow away with backfield action
Having these in your offensive arsenal can give you big play opportunities on the ground, and as you will see in this example, you can be creative with who the runner is as well as what flow you create in the backfield.
#1 Slot Receiver Counter from Bunch
Kevin Kelley, now the head coach at FCS Presbertyrian University lists this play amongst his five “Unstoppable Plays” which he has used to roll up an average for over 560 yards per game and 50 points per game since 2006. This is a play that has made its way into the NFL with the Cleveland Browns running variations of it. Coach Kelley diagrams it and illustrates it with game video (click on image for video):
This play was taken from Coach Kelley’s course 5 Unstoppable Plays.
To learn more about the complete course click here
#2 Counter Criss Cross
For the longest time this play has been reserved for wing-t teams. I was excited to see Clemson run it years ago from spread, and it pops up from time to time at the college and pro level. Wing-T teams who love to run the ball utilize this play when they need a big gain, and it certainly can be adapted to spread and other offenses. Tennessee state champion Scott Meadows explains it in this video.
To learn more about Coach Meadow’s complete course click here
#3 Counter Read with Sweep
If you have a QB who is a runner, this play can give you some mileage on the ground. Bill Durkin, OL Coach at Coastal Carolina shows how they use the counter scheme with a sweep read to create an option play that creates flow and puts a defender in conflict.
To learn more about Coach Durkin’s complete course click here
Forcing a defense to flow hard to stop your best run sets up huge opportunity to counter away. The counter scheme has so much versatility and allows you to create plays that fit in your offense in order to take advantage of the defense. The only limitation is your imagination.