QB Counter Bash

At its core, QB Counter Bash is a read-option play for the quarterback that stretches the defense horizontally and creates a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t situation.

Effectively, it’s either a sweep for the running back with the edge open, or it’s a quarterback counter to the other side with the second level of the defense often hesitating or taking false steps, which creates better blocking angles for the offense. It has big-play possibilities regardless of who ends up with the ball.

It’s especially effective if Lamar Jackson is your quarterback.

Below, you can see the design:

The guard and tackle pull to one side and the running back goes to the other. He goes AWAY from the direction that the line is blocking, which is where the term “Bash” comes from (Back Away).

The quarterback’s read is the end man on the line of scrimmage away from the pullers. Here, that was to Lamar Jackson’s right:

If that defender crashes inside, Jackson’s read would be to give the ball to the running back on the sweep. If he kicks out with the running back, the read is to keep the ball and follow the pulling action to the other side.

And that’s what ended up happening here, with Jackson pulling it and running for an easy 17 yards: