As I’ve pointed out in previous posts, some coaches use different terminology to describe the same play. A&M runs various types of counter plays as part of their pro-option offense, today we’re looking at Hammer Read, also known as Guard Tackle Counter Read or GT Counter Read. Pulling the backside guard and tackle to block frontside for counter hails back to Nebraska’s original counter sweep in the 1980s. USC head coach Lincoln Riley based his whole offense on running Hammer Read at Oklahoma. A&M runs Hammer Read as another option play to keep the defense honest in Jimbo Fisher’s offense.
Play Concept
Hammer Read is a fairly simple play design. You can run Hammer Read from 10, 11, and 12 personnel, but the ability to spread the field in 10 and 11 personnel make it the most effective. The backside guard and backside tackle pull frontside while the other offensive linemen down block. If you are in 11 personnel, the TE helps seal the BSLB. The backside DE is left unblocked by the BSG and BST pulling playside, he is the read man. If BSDE crashes to stop RB, QB keeps and runs backside. If BSDE floats to stop QB, QB gives to RB to run behind pulling guard and tackle.
With 11 personnel, TE is aligned to the field. Boundary receiver is on the numbers, field slot is on the hash, field receiver is on numbers. Notice the incredibly wide splits spread out the defense and make it easier to play power football inside the tackle box. TE first checks RT to see if he needs help with SDE then goes second level to block BSLB. RT blocks down on SDE. RG blocks down on 1-tech. C blocks down two gaps for weakside 3-tech. WDE is highlighted, he is the read man and is left unblocked. Boundary receiver, field slot, and field receiver all push vertical and then stalk block. LG pulls and kicks out PSLB. LT pulls and pins MLB.
QB receives snap and reads WDE. If he crashes keep weakside. If he stays flat, give to RB. RB meshes with QB and runs behind blocks of LG and LT. Ultimately this play is six blocking six inside and the seventh man accounted for by a read.
Executing Hammer Read
First play we’re looking at is a 1st and 10 on A&M’s own 11 yard line where the Aggies are in 11 personnel. Jhamon Ausbon is aligned to the boundary. Christian Kirk is the field slot, and Damion Ratley is the field receiver. TE Tanner Schorp is aligned to the field. Kellen Mond is in shotgun with Trayveon Williams aligned to his left.
At the snap, Ratley, Kirk, and Ausbon all push vertical and stalk block. TE Tanner Schorp helps RT Keaton Sutherland with his block on the SDE and then goes second level to block the WLB. Sutherland base blocks the SDE. RG Connor Lanfear down blocks on the 1-tech. C Erik McCoy down blocks on the 3-tech. LG Ryan McCollum pulls to kickout the PSLB. LT Koda Martin pulls to pin the MLB. SLB and MLB both pinch so both McCollum and Martin seal outside. OLB Dwayne Eugene is left unblocked and crashes hard to stop Trayveon. Mond sees the keep read and is off to the races. Officially, the play results is a 79 yard gain and a first down. Unofficially, the refs blew this call and A&M was robbed of an 89 yard TD.
Hammer Read Give
Second time the Aggies ran Hammer Read was a 2nd and 6 on the Arkansas 18 yard line. A&M is in 11 personnel with stacked receivers on both numbers, stretching the defensive alignment.
Mond is in shotgun with Williams to his left, just like last time. At the snap, Clyde Chriss fakes a screen while Schorp, Ratley, and Kirk all go vertical and block. After biting so hard on the RB earlier, Eugene takes a wider path to play the QB. Mond sees the Give read. McCollum stays tight to the line on his pull and kicks the MLB. McCollum’s block shields the SLB outside and Martin pulls inside him. Sutherland and Lanfear’s down blocks on the DE and 1-tech create a wall inside. Martin and McCollum create a wall outside. Trayveon takes the ball and runs untouched into the tunnel. The result of the play is an 18 yard touchdown.