Counter blocking is a scheme in American football for creating misdirection. Counter blocking helps the running backs to run multiple backfields.
In NFL and NCAAF, every team utilizes various techniques and strategies to gain the upper hand over each other. The offensive and defensive playbooks are diverse and filled with responsibilities for every position.
The offense desires to put the ball into the opposition’s end zone, while the defense looks to prevent that from happening on four downs. With the players constantly making contact with each other over the 100-yard field, specific creative strategies are applied by teams.
Football teams use counter block and their schemes to throw off the opponent’s defense and gain huge yardage. It is effective for any unexpected defense.
What Is Counter Blocking?
Counter Blocking requires the offensive linesmen to create a wall and make gap blocks. Counter Play is also a general scheme in football.
The running back will then take off from one of the gap players. The offensive line has to be vigilant as the entire scheme is primarily dependent on their success.
This scheme will ensure misdirection for the defensive team and an easy running route for the back position.
Role of Offensive Linesmen in Counter Scheme
Every linesman position will have a role in the counter scheme.
The tackle of the play side will be responsible for the B-Gap. They will have to block the defenders in the B-gap area.
Moreover, they need to keep an eye on the backside linebacker. If there is no immediate defensive linesman for them, they will proceed to meet the linebacker.
The guard on the play side will have to maintain the A-gap. If there is no lineman for him, he will have to head on to support the tackle to contain the linebacker. However, leaving his position means a defender can blitz into the scrimmage line at that moment, so the guard has to remain vigilant.
The center will identify and block the first player that crosses to his inside. The backside guard will help contain the C-gap since the defenders can circle around it. The center and the guard will be responsible for making sure that the defenders do not enter the backfield.
The backside guard will ensure that the C-gap is covered. He will not go forward to meet the linebacker. On power plays, he will perform those moves, but on counter schemes, he will let the other backfield players deal with it.
The tackle in the backside will have to maintain the B-gap as well as C-gap. If there is a linesman in the B-gap already, he will push that player to the center. Then, he will have to redirect his steps to maintain the C-gap.
The backside tackle should prioritize the B-gap since it is the most vulnerable, as it is the direct line for the ball carrier.
Role of Running Back in Counter Scheme
The running back has to maintain their track to the play side A-gap.
The Running back will generally be the ball carrier in the counter scheme, so it is important to make a clearer track distance for him.
With the linesman blocking the defenders, the RB has to stay right-tight to the pullers. Timing is essential in this scheme. They need to identify the right moment when the offensive line has reached their goal. Then, they will utilize one of the gaps and take off.
Role of Tight End in Counter Scheme
The tight ends will act as the addition to the offensive line.
They will aid in the counter blocking scheme, depending on their position.
If they are at the backside, the tight end will be responsible for not allowing the defensive ends to come around the backfield.
However, if the tight ends are on the play side, then they will ensure that the backside linebacker gets stopped. The tight ends need to immediately identify which side they are, or their impact will be null.
If the offense has two TEs in the formation, then it will be easier to make the blocking on both sides of the gaps effective.
Quarterback Blocking In Counter Scheme
The quarterback will have a lesser role compared to the other players on the offense.
They will simply pass the ball to the running back. Before their play call, they have to ensure that the counter scheme is the right one to use at that down.
A quarterback can also perform blocking for the Running back. To solidify the track, they can help to block the oncoming defenders from tackling the ball carrier.
After the ball is removed from their hands, it would seem the best scenario for the QB to block for the Running back.
The offensive coordinators will rarely agree on this role since the QB is the important strategic role and the most vulnerable to injuries. Hence, many coaches will simply prefer for the Quarterbacks not to perform any blocking or tackling role.
However, in this age of mobile athletic Quarterbacks, there are some counter-schemes where the QB has the option to keep the ball after the snap. They will then take the initiative and scramble to gain yardage.
Counter Blocking Schemes
There are three variations of the Counter Trey blocking schemes.
The first variation is to put the running-back position in the pistol formation. Then the receiver will come in motion to the left before the snap for a play fake.
In the offensive line, the play side guard and tackle will target their adjacent defensive tackle. The center will pull the other defensive tackle. The backside tackle will also move to his left and go for the play-side linebacker.
Now, one defensive end will remain, and the QB will be responsible for blocking him. After the snap, the Running back will take the ball and ride with the backside tackle to run forward.
The Bash scheme
In this scheme, the Running back will go in one direction while the quarterback will rush in another direction.
This strategy primarily depends on the defensive ends’ reaction to the running back’s play direction.
When the QB has the ball after the play fake is done, he will make shuffle steps. He has two choices based on how he reads the defensive end.
If the defensive end comes to rush the QB, the quarterback will immediately hand off the ball to the running back. However, if the end rushes to the running back’s line of the area, then the QB will not pass but take the ball forward in the opposite direction.
The linesman will block in the same form as the first variation. It is also vital for the receivers and tight ends to block the cornerbacks so that the ball carriers can make effective yardage gains.
Tag the Counter Tray with RPO
We will put mirrored fade-outs in this counter scheme variation on both sides.
The wide receivers have to go for a fade, running vertically to the sidelines. This is done to keep the cornerbacks busy. The tight ends will also make an L-run to the sidelines to push the focus of the cornerbacks.
The offensive line will utilize the same blocking mechanism. The running back will then make a dash to the A-gap or bend to the C-gap. The QB and the TE have to ensure that the defensive end will not circle around.