Running and Blocking the Counter Run Play with Coach Bill Renner

Coach Renner is at the white board teaching you how he runs the counter football running play in his offense. He gives specific details for each offensive lineman, running back steps and track to the line of scrimmage and for the quarterback steps and fake path after the handoff. He details the defensive line techniques he runs the counter at and how to formation to that front. Coach Renner is a 23-year veteran head football coach. He coached his own offensive line for 17 years. He has called offensive plays for all 30 years of his coaching career at 4 different high schools. He finished his coaching career with a 141 game scoring streak averaging 31.1 points per game at 3 different high schools during that streak.

[@hunteramoon52]

I noticed a tight end in the second cut up. I know you prefer 4/5 wide sets so when do you use a tight end in your scheme?

[@brenner404]

I use a tight end when I know that the defense will put the 1 and 5 technique or the 0 and 5 technique to the split end side/away from the TE. That gives me exactly what I want to run the blocking scheme. The only tight end set I use is Twins Pro. Twins on the left and a Pro set, tight end and flanker on the right. This formation is not possible for the defense to get numbers on the Twins side, in the box and on the tight end side all at the same time.

[@michaeldunagan7838]

Great explanation from where on the field to hit the defender to where.on the body to hit him. Question Coach: Is the "1" you are labeling often labeled a "2i" by other coaches...? Also, is a tight "1" able to be blocked by the playside guard before the "1" heads upfield...?

[@brenner404]

Yes sir it is.

[@michaeldunagan7838]

@@brenner404 Hi Thanks for the reply. I misspoke: running to the Center's right, with tight 1-shade off his shoulder, the left guard, who I mislabled play-side , is really back-side: would not quick "1s".be difficult to catch if the Center does not even give the "1" a flipper or straight-arm?

[@brenner404]

The center does not have time to engage the 1 technique and get to the 3 technique and prevent the 3 technique from going upfield and knocking off the tackle pulling. The 3 technique getting up the field is really the most important block on this play with the OG and OT pulling. If we did have trouble with a slanting or quick 1 technique I would tell the left guard to cut his split down to 6 inches and take a max split back off the ball ,his head has to bisect the center's waist, so he can head downhill to block the 1 technique as he gets tight off the center's rear as he blocks back. Reducing the gaps is a simple way to neutralize an up-the-field quick defensive lineman.

[@michaeldunagan7838]

@@brenner404 Thank you so much for taking time out of your day and for granting me a talented explanation. Too obvious for me to consider cutting down the splits. A couple years ago, the Steelers at home were playing and the Right Gaurd's foot literally touched paraell the Center's left foot: end zone camera shot. Seemingly their helmets were no father than a yard apart at the snap of the football.