In American football, a counter run is a running play that starts in one direction but ends in the other direction. Typically, the running back will take a step in the opposite direction of the play, only to get the handoff in the other direction.

What Is The Definition Of Counter In Football? 1. This is an offensive play in football where the running back takes a step in the direction the play seems to be going, only to take the handoff going in the opposite direction.

" Counter " in this sense refers to the initial motion of the back (s)—the running back will start the play with a short step counter to the flow of the play, serving as a fakeout to freeze any linebackers reading backfield motion, plus something to do in that second while the blocking is getting set up.

The counter is a play in football that results in a running back faking one way and running. It also involves pulling players to the opposite side while the other lineman “gap” blocks away. The counter has become a staple in the spread offense due to its ability to get linemen easy blocks and running backs into open space.

The counter scheme entails two offensive players pulling across the formation to the opposite side. What two players those are doesn’t really matter as far as the scheme itself is concerned. The most “true” counter is with the backside guard and tackle pulling.