Counter Pass

Philosophy, Technique & Installation

vs.
4-4, 5-2 and 6-1

Presented by:

Tim Murphy
Head Football Coach
Clovis East High School
www.coachtimmurphy.com

Counter Pass
Why?
1. Big Play Potential

Averaged over 15 yards per attempt in 2007

2. Keeps defenses honest

Backfield and O-line false keys creates lack of

confidence in defenses reads
Slows down aggressive defenses

3. Great compliment to base run plays

Increases chance for success with counter run

and joker

Counter Pass
Types of players needed
Running backs Must have great fakes,
decent blocking ability

TE Must have good release moves, good

hands

OL Need to understand how to sell one block

and execute another

Quarterback Great salesman, decent arm,

speed adds another element but not necessary

Counter Pass
Formations
Best with two wings
- Double TE sets: Double wing, T, and I
- Single TE sets: Over, under, split,
spread and pro
- No TE sets: Quads and trips
- No FB sets: Ace and trey

Counter Pass
Basic Overview
Pass play with backfield and o-line
action going opposite point of attack
- Offense will fake counter-run putting a minimum of two
receivers into the pattern quickly and decisively
- Routes will be floods or deep crossing routes
- Offense must commit to selling fakes
- Coach must call play when its not expected

Counter Pass
Offensive Line General Assignments
Playside
1. Pulls backside and picks up backside pass
rush

Pulls must be aggressive, fast and under control

Guard will set up deep and Tackle will set up shallow

creating a backside wall

If playside TE stays in he blocks man on, if he is in the

pattern he must release inside and make it look as if he is
going after the inside backer
Back to Main Menu

Counter Pass
Offensive Line General Assignments
Backside
1. Sell run and protect one gap toward play side

O-line will aggressively down block toward play side, if no

defender is in the down block area they will replace adjacent
teammate looking for a backer or helping most dangerous

After contact they will wheel their butt toward Qb roll out
using as much of the tackle box as possible (never go
further than 2 yards down field)

They must have internal clock telling them how far and how
long to wheel their butt while maintaining contact with the
defender

43 Counter Pass
O-Line Rules
Rte Inside release, Corner route (8-10 yards)
Rt Pull flat, pick up backside rush
Rg Pull flat for 2 steps, get depth on steps 3 and 4
C Down and wheel
Lg Down and wheel
Lt Down and wheel
Lte Outside release, Drag route (10-12 yards)
Back to Main Menu

43 Counter Pass
O-line

B
E
1-2
2-3

B
T

43 Counter Pass
Backfield Rules

Rw Open step, fake reverse until whistle blows

(possible Connor route call)

Fb Aim for RTEs inside hip, log DE (possible Flat route

call)
Lw 3 step motion-full speed, fake Rocket catch, block
first defender outside of Fb (possible Flat route call)
Qb Reverse pivot on mid-line with ball in stomach,
complete 270 degrees turn putting left hand and eyes into
Rws numbers, sprint out reading deep-shallow-run

43 Counter Pass
Backfield

43 Counter Pass

C
B
B

C
B
T

43 Counter Pass vs. 4-4

C
B
B

C
B
T

43 Counter Pass vs. 5-2

F
B

B
N

43 Counter Pass vs. 6-1

F
M
C

43 Reverse Pass Bench Post

10

F
B

B
N

43 Reverse Pass Cross

C
B
B

C
B
T

43 Reverse Pass Double Go

F
B

B
N

43 Reverse Pass Connor

C
B
B

C
B
T

Counter Pass

COMPLEMENTARY
PLAYS

43 Reverse
F

C
B
B

C
B
T

43 Reverse Joker
F

C
B
B

C
B
T

43 Reverse Log Deep

F

C
B
B

C
B
T

43 Reverse Log Pitch and Give

F

C
B
B

C
B
T

24 Counter Pass Pitch and Give

C
B
B

C
B
T

24 Power Joker Pitch and Give

F

C
B
B

C
B
T

Counter Pass

FILM CUTS