Running counter in a zone offense?

Hey Tank,

It is my opinion that it is very necessary. In order to keep the defense from lining up and coming with their ears laid back every down, if you continue to run the same stuff, it is imperative to run some misdirection in any offense. I ran the triple option out of the bone for years on the high school level, and will be the first to tell you that the ISV/OSV are great plays within themselves. BUT, if we didn't have a good selection of complimentary plays to augment them (counters, powers, traps, sweeps, etc.) we would not have enjoyed half the success we did. Just my opinion as always.

Coach Easton

TANK
YES you need a counter. If yoiu are hesitant about running a type of the Old Redskins counter Trey. Try running a regular old trap, with the QB and RB giving the same action as you would see on a counter trewy. i.e. QB starts out right then turns to hand ball back to RB going left. The RB takes 2 steps to this right, plants hard and goes back to his left for the handoff.

You can build a solid base running game from IZ, OZ, and Counter. The Counter is necessary to give the D a different look with down blocks and a kickout/wrap coming from the backside complimented by what starts out looking like an IZ in the backfield.

One thing to keep in mind is that most centers will have a heck of a time snapping the ball and getting a down block on a 3 technique, so I always try to run it to the 3 technique side to make it easier on the center by allowing him to down block on the 1 (assuming the usual even front alignments with a 1 weak and a 3 strong). I'd prefer to run it to the weak side, usually fewer people over there and it can break, but if the center can't block the 3 its a negative play. The alternative is to leave the guard at home and (assuming an even front) have the center try to get over to log the LB play side - still a tough block, but if the LB has been influenced by the backfield action it has a better chance of being a positive play.

This game makes me feel so stupid sometimes, it only took me 3 years to figure that out...

Easy to do if O-Line aligned OFF the ball, & with splits no more than 18".