Hard count (gridiron football)

The defensive and offensive lines square off prior to a snap

In gridiron football, the hard count is a strategy used by offenses. It is most frequently used to "convert" on fourth down with less than five yards to go.

The quarterback uses an irregular, accented (thus, the term "hard") cadence for the snap count in the hope that the defense will jump offside.

Outcomes

When used in a fourth down situation if the defense jumps offside it gives the offense the option to gain the five yards needed to convert the first down as a result of the award of the offside penalty yardage.^[1]

When used in a fourth down situation if the defense does not go offside, the offense will often either call a time out or take a five-yard penalty for delay of game and punt the ball away.

If the defense jumps offside, but the offense begins their play, it is designated as a "free play" (as in, there are no negative consequences to the offense on the play, with the exception of penalties).

The offense may choose to use the hard count throughout the game, in an attempt to confuse the defense, and get them to play more conservatively.

The offense's own offensive line might react to the hard count, resulting in a false start offensive infraction.^[2]

References

↑ Shpigel, Ben (2014-11-23). "Packers' Aaron Rodgers Has a Voice That Leaves Defenders Muttering". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2014-11-23.
↑ http://www.footballoutsiders.com/info/glossary_general

American football strategy

Systems

Offensive strategy

Scheme	A-11 Air Coryell Air option Air raid Buck-lateral Hurry-up Marty Ball Option Pro-style Run and shoot Smashmouth Spread Triple option West Coast

Routes	Chair Corner Curl Drag Flat Fly Hot Jerk Out Post Seam Slant Sluggo Stop-and-go Swing Wheel

Trick plays	Play-action pass Draw Double pass End-around Reverse Spinner Fake field goal Fake punt Fake spike Fake procedure Flea flicker Fumblerooski Hidden ball Hook and lateral Statue of Liberty Halfback option Hard count Pyramid Swinging gate Tackle-eligible

Other	Clock management

Defensive strategy

Scheme	Man-to-man Zone Tampa 2

Coverages	Bump and run Double Zone

Other	Icing the kicker

Offensive formations

Defensive formations

Other

Resting the starters

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