Playaction off of Counter

We have ran the boot into the trips and had all 3 receivers running verticals. (#1 fade, #2 seam, #3 far hash) and had the TE run the drag across the formation of of counter or zone fake. TE is almost always open.

JD

COMET - it is blocked almost exactly like the counter. If you are in 2 TE's & 2 WR's (remember - he wants EIGHT man protection), vs. the 4-3 (OLB's on TE's; DE's on OT's; DT's on OG's; with a MLB:



ON TE = down block DE
ON T = down block DT
ON G = Set on inside 1/2 of DT & check MLB run thru (take him IF he comes)
CENTER = Block back on DT away from call
OFF G = pull & kick out EMLOS (OLB ON TE) same as COUNTER
OFF T = cutoff De
OFF TE = Cutoff OLB
RB = after Counter fake - take any threat off corner (S/S blitz, etc.). IF NONE - continue out to the flat.
QB = after Counter fake drop back to about 9 yds depth (7 step timing). Look first for Post & second for In!

EXCEPT that there are not TWO pullers coming from the backside (only one) - the blocking looks (to the defense) very much like the COUNTER (run)!

If you would like to discuss vs more fronts, CALL me at 804-716-7038 (before 10:30 PM - EDT).

Hope this helps!

Comet - the way we block the DROPBACK off Counter/Power action is EXACTLY as I posted above.

If you are going to dropback off COUNTER/POWER playaction - it is 7 step timing (the routes are DEEPER routes - the "OVER & UNDER") & 7 man protection may NOT be enough. You have to ACCOUNT for 8 people (even if they bring less). The first thing defensive coordinators will do if they pick up a tendency on your PAP is BLITZ (there is no better call vs PAP than an all-out blitz)!!!!! The QB will have his back turned for the fake, & will not see blitz coming. If he's on the MOVE (boots & waggles) that is a different matter.

There is an old saying on dropback play action - you do not NEED to send out a bunch of people because "EITHER YOU FOOL THEM OR YOU DON'T"! On the Counter/Power pass (DROPPING BACK) two free releases is good (plus the RB checks out to the flat to the side of the fake if no secondary pressure - #4 off the edge ). The FAKE accounts for the underneath coverage. Many people using the "STRETCH" pass do the same thing (both TE's - H/Y block; playside TE's block brings a safety down, & backside TE's block keeps QB from being hit in the back of the head!). IF I ever wanted to free release 3 people on a dropback play action - it would be off "sprint-draw" action, etc. - so QB (NOT turning his back to LOS) could see blitz coming & abort the FAKE (even then, it can be "hairy")!!

This was Gibbs' most SUCCESSFUL pass in the "glory days", but he STRESSED the use of 8 man protection!

This is just our belief, there are (of course) other ways to do it! I PERSONALLY would not want to attempt this PARTICULAR pass with 7 man protection! Using 8 man pro wasn't important ONLY to protect the QB - the blocks by the 2 TE's (H/Y) SET UP the two best patterns by controlling the S/S (bringing him down to play RUN)!!!!!

Email me at butzadams@hotmail.com or call at 804-740-4479 if you wish to go into detail. Best wishes!

PS: There is a RECENT video circulating around by Joe Bugel in which he discusses this VERY pass, details the protection, and shows the two basic PATTERNS they used!

It would probably work, BUT, the secondary pressure (#4) such as S/S, etc. is MORE LIKELY to come from the strongside (depending on how they USE it - it might cause problems).

There is really NO REASON to run it weak. You want max protection, & a chance to work the "OVER/UNDER" combination - that is your ONLY objective. If you are in a BALANCED 2 TE/2 WR set - there really isn't a "weak" side.

PS: The WAY they use it - it must be run TOWARD a TE - because the down block of the TE (& the run fake to that side) is instrumental is controlling the S/S to open up the two patterns they use from it (particularly what they call the "DOUBLE POST" (which actually has two receivers coming from OPPOSITE the fake - the outside man aiming for the near upright, & the inside man aiming for the far corner - where you need to get the S/S UP to throw behind him)!!!!!

Take a look at this:
sports.cvc.org/gridiron/counterpass.gif

We have been simple. From a wing set we have the wing seal the EMOL. This serves two purposes for us. It gives a false key to the CB...he see the FL block and comes up to force the toss or power. Secondly it seals the edge allowing our QB to get outside. Our PSTE runs a flag, BSTE runs a post. FB goes into the flat. Simple, but it works.