Acme Packing Company
Today’s film room breaks down the basics of a key component of the Packers’ running game.
While the Green Bay Packers’ most efficient run game concept in 2024 was Duo, we’re going to focus on their 2nd most efficient run game concept in the next two articles: the counter run scheme. In 2024, counter runs accounted for 5.1 yards per attempt, 225 total yards, and a 34.1% first down rate (far more than any other run scheme they deployed), and a 43.2% positive play rate. In this article, we’ll look at what the counter run scheme is and what it hopes to accomplish.
But what is the counter run scheme?
Counter runs are the easiest way to kill the run pursuit of an overly aggressive defense that is often able to get penetration into the backfield. Counter involves two lead blockers, usually the backside offensive guard and a fullback or tight end, or in some cases the backside tackle. While the rest of the line blocks down, the lead blockers kick out and lead the running back through a newly created gap.
The counter is an old school gap scheme run that all teams run from traditional under center and mostly two back 21 personnel formations. The backside guard usually trap blocks or kicks out the defensive end or first upfield defender while the rest of the line down blocks away from the point of attack. The use of a fullback adds an extra blocker to lead up through the hole, the down blocks, and the trapping guard.
The success of the counter run depends on delivering an authentic misdirection fake. The success of this deception depends on the offensive line’s correct initial movement toward the play side which is vital for deceiving defensive players.
The running back adds to the deception by taking a “rocker” step away from the play side before reversing back toward the play side and taking the hand off.
The offensive line blocks down away from the play side while a guard pulls toward the direction the run will end up hitting. During the handoff, the quarterback reverses out away from the play side before moving the ball to the play side hand before the handoff. The defensive reaction becomes automatic due to the unified action between the offensive line movement, the quarterback reverse-out, and the running back rocker step all in the same direction initially.
The play instantly changes direction to attack the defense’s opposite side once the flow is declared and the defense’s initial steps are the opposite way. The play executes two essential components during this phase.
The distinguishing feature between counter and something like “trap” or “power” is that counter uses two lead blockers, one to block the edge, and one to lead up through the hole at the point of attack. On trap, the guard would usually block the edge after pulling. On power, the...
