The counter scheme can be run from several different formations and backfield sets. The counter takes advantage of defenders who are over running plays. The counter is used to keep defenses honest and to make defenders stay home and defend their assigned areas. The counter actually becomes two plays in one depending upon the end man on the line of scrimmage. If the EMLOS plays up the field the counter turns into trap, if the defender plays down as if to spill the play outside then it turns into counter sweep.
When running 42 or 43 Counter you will get a backside guard pulling along with a fullback as the second blocker on the pull. 42 – 43 GT pulls the guard (G) and tackle (T). When running 42 – 43 we will always have two pullers tracking playside. The two pullers are responsible for EMLOS and the playside linebacker. The following illustrations will demonstrate how to install these schemes.
The rule for blocking the counter schemes on the perimeter goes as follows; take the easiest path, if faced with a nine technique then inside release to middle or backside linebacker. If faced with a seven technique on the inside shade of the tight end then arc release to the outside invert.
The initial steps for both the guard and tackle if running (GT). GT stands for guard and tackle, the backside guard will drop step with his playside foot and then with his backside foot stepping parallel to the line of scrimmage and then begin to gain depth to see how the EMLOS is going to play him as the defender attempts to play the kickout block by the guard. The guard starts to climb to a depth of no more than five yards, this is called gain depth to gain vision. If the EMLOS closes down inside then the guard will quit climbing and work to log the outside hip and jersey number of the defender, this turns the play into counter sweep.
If the EMLOS starts to climb up the field with the guard this means the defender will take the kickout block on with his inside shoulder thus turning the play into counter trap. Once again if the EMLOS plays down inside the guard will attempt to log the defender, if the defender plays upfield he then will kick him out and the play runs inside.
The backside tackle on GT will incorporate the same initial footwork as his guard and will determine his path to the playside linebacker by the reaction of his guard. If the guard climbs this tells the tackle to take his path to the linebacker inside because the play will be counter trap. If the guard cuts his path shallow this tells the tackle to take his path outside because the GT is going to turn into counter sweep.
When running the counter into the tight end he will always give an alert of a seven or nine call, this tells the guard of the location of the EMLOS and the probable technique that the defender will use. A seven technique will for the most part always work to spill the counter outside whereas a nine technique will try and contain the play by keeping it inside.
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About the Author of this post:
Jerry Campbell has over 30 years of high school and college coaching experience. He has experience as a head coach, offensive coordinator, and various position coaches. He has written numerous football coaching articles in various publications, is the author of over 30 books on coaching football, and has produced 12 coaching video series. Additionally, he is a nationally sought after speaker on the coaching clinic circuit.