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
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 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)

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 43 Counter Pass
O-line

B B

E T T E

1-2
2-3
 43 Counter Pass
Backfield Rules
• Rw – Open step, fake reverse until whistle blows
(possible Connor route call)

• Fb – Aim for RTE’s 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
Rw’s numbers, sprint out reading deep-shallow-run
43 Counter Pass
Backfield
 43 Counter Pass

C F C

B B
B E T T E B
 43 Counter Pass vs. 4-4

C F C

B B
B E T T E B
 43 Counter Pass vs. 5-2

F F

B B

C E T N T E C
 43 Counter Pass vs. 6-1

F F

M
C E T T T T E C
 43 Reverse Pass Bench Post

10
F F

B B

C E T N T E C
 43 Reverse Pass Cross

C F C

B B
B E T T E B
43 Reverse Pass Double Go

F F

B B

C E T N T E C
43 Reverse Pass Connor

C F C

B B
B E T T E B
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COMPLEMENTARY
PLAYS
 43 Reverse

C F C

B B
B E T T E B
 43 Reverse Joker

C F C

B B
B E T T E B
 43 Reverse Log Deep

C F C

B B
B E T T E B
43 Reverse Log Pitch and Give

C F C

B B
B E T T E B
24 Counter Pass Pitch and Give

C F C

B B
B E T T E B
24 Power Joker Pitch and Give

C F C

B B
B E T T E B
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FILM CUTS