QB Counter

Bixby (OK) has a Juggernaut QB Run Game

I got a message from a coaching friend recently saying, “You have to check out Bixby’s QB Run Game!”

When I turned on the film, I was blown away by the creativity and execution. QB Counter, QB Draw, QB Pin & Pull and more. They ran the QB out of Condensed Formations that resembled Single Wing, they ran the QB out of Empty Formations with shifts and motion. After spending some time watching the film, I knew I wanted to learn more from the Offensive Coordinator and QB’s Coach at Bixby HS, Tyler Schneider.

I’m fired up to announce that Coach Schneider will be presenting at The Play Caller’s Club Clinic in Houston, TX!

Here are a few cutups that caught my eye:

Empty Bunch Rt Jet QB Super (Super) Counter

I wrote about QB Super Counter in “The Ultimate Guide to Counter” but that only included 3 Pullers. Here Bixby uses 4 Pullers (GT + both Wings) to create a huge numbers shift for the defense.

Formation Unbalanced Jet QB Super Counter

This is a beautiful Super Counter off Jet Action. In UGTC I talked about how difficult it was for the defense to identify an In-Line TE Pulling. Bixby had a phenomenal TE who was athletic enough to Pull on on these Counter Schemes.

Empty QB Same Side G/H Counter Draw

Jenks (OK) has an impressive Tite Front Scheme led by DC Adam Gaylor. Jenks was one of the few teams to slow Bixby down at all. This Same-Side G/H Counter is a great wrinkle with Delay QB Draw Action. The Guard gets to the Mike LB and the H-Back works up to the Support Safety.

TE/Wing Lt Lead QB Pin & Pull

Here they run a standard Boundary Pin & Pull Scheme, but instead of handing the ball off, the QB flash fakes and the RB leads for the Weak Support Player. Adding a number into the Boundary springs an explosive play.

Formation Unbalanced Stack Rt Jet QB G/H Counter

If you watch Bixby, you know how much they stress the defense with Jet Sweep to the Field. The perfect companion play is a QB Counter back to the Boundary. They do a great job mixing Jet Sweep and Counter - they have weapons all over the field.

I would love for you to join us for The Play Caller’s Club in Houston, TX or virtually!

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QB G/H Counter RPO

North Texas came out in Week 0 with a nice game plan. This Red Zone wrinkle was particularly impressive. Quarterback Austin Aune has enough juice to be a running threat and this particular call was reminiscent of some of the things Seth Littrell did in his time at North Carolina with QB Marquise Williams. QB Counter with an RPO RB Rail out of the Backfield. If the defense fits Counter, throw the Rail. If the defense bails to Rail, keep Counter.

  • Formation Unbalanced to the Field (X is covered up)

  • H-Back Off

  • QB G/H Counter

  • RB Rail

  • QB Reads Leverage on the Rail while attacking downhill

Haters will say this is illegal man downfield, but they probably coach defense. I said this often in The Ultimate Guide to Counter, but the best way to run RPO tags with Counter is with G/H Counter. Ideally the Guard kicks out and the (eligible) H-Back climbs to the LB which prevents illegal man downfield. North Texas gets into a little bit of trouble when the Left Tackle Climbs to the Mike LB. Whenever you call an RPO, tell that “Deuce” Block to be a little more patient - don’t chase, wait to gather the LB when he comes to you.

All that being said, this is a nice little RZ play that can cause some confusion for the Defense.

Bash QB GT Counter

I was recently talking with a group of coaches about Bash QB GT Counter. Some coaches have had a lot of success with it, others have been frustrated by it because it never hits like they draw it up. When diagnosing issues, one of the biggest markers of success on Bash QB GT Counter is the QB’s footwork. When teams struggle with Bash, it’s usually because the QB shuffles too far away from the Run Scheme when they read the Edge Defender. This cut-up from Sam Houston State is a great example of a QB “Short Shuffle” to the Bash to stay in sync with the GT Counter Pullers.

Another thing I like about this play is running it to the Nub TE Side. If your TE can block out on a 9 Technique, both your Guard & Tackle can insert on the Will LB and the Secondary Support Player. It can also hit downhill without the fear of being spilled.

  • Nub TE

  • Trips Lt.

  • Bash (Back Away from the Run Scheme)

    • QB Reads the Strong DE for Give/Keep

  • QB GT Counter

Bash QB GT Counter.png

Another Option here is to Arc the TE to the CB. This will potentially widen the 9 Technique and allow for a clean kick out block by the Guard. But if your TE can handle a DE or walk down Jack LB, I like the idea of blocking out and inserting both the Guard and Tackle. Bash QB GT Counter is a great way to get your QB going in the Run Game!

QB Super Power

One of the best ways to handle 3-Down Fronts (Tite, Mint, etc.) is to create 3-Man Surfaces with a TE. In addition, running the QB is an easy way to gain the numbers advantage in the run game. You can use the QB in Zone or Gap Schemes with the RB leading. Oklahoma lines up in Double TE (creating multiple 3-Man Surfaces) to run QB GT Counter.

  • GT Counter to the Jet Motion

  • Backside TE Cuts Off the 5 Technique

  • RB Kicks out Playside Edge Defender

  • Both Guard & Tackle Wrap to Lead QB

  • QB takes a drop step to run the GT Counter Track

2019 Oklahoma - Big Ace Jet QB GT Counter.png

I call this “Super Power” because the way it hits feels more like Power with a double Wrap from the Guard and Tackle than a true Counter. It’s a great way to rush numbers to the point of attack and get your QB Downhill vs. a 3-Down Front.