A primary goal of almost all offenses is to get the ball to a speedy player in space. Communicate with each other. Zone blocking schemes give the running back options and cutback lanes while offensive linemen are assigned an area to block instead of a specific man. {}jY[5t?hY;6o~_ BLOCKING RULES RULE: Base - Big on Big rule CALL: "big" Block inside, over, outside to near backer. One way to handle the handoff to the Jet man is by having the QB drop the ball down to him. It requires speed and technique. Regardless of the defensive front, these two principles are consistent, and again, 73.8 percent of coaches use this terminology when implementing the zone scheme. Outside zone is run strictly off of leverage and cutoff blocks. The PST kicks out the EMLOS. Of course, when you have backs behind Manning with the speed of Edgerrin James and Joey Addai, getting to the perimeter of the defense is almost guaranteed. One of these players on each side of the field will come off their initial double team block to get to the second level and pick up the Will and the Mike, respectively. Next is the play side guard. He teaches his players to eye the outside armpit of the defender with the objective to always advance to the second level. Coaching youth football isnt easy. I've admired the way the Indianapolis Colts ran the scheme to perfection under center with Peyton Manning and with the efficiency with which Oregon ran it this year out of the shotgun. (Full Explanation), What is a Lateral Pass in Football? Again, the zone blocking scheme will start with the offensive tackle and guards combining for a double team block at the line of scrimmage, followed by one of these linemen peeling off to block a second-level linebacker. Your counting rules for zone blocking also work for pass blocking; OL players become interchangeable, as all the rules stay the same. But besides that, the 2 plays are very different. The goal is to stress the defense horizontally and the back has to be ready to take it if its there, but especially at the NFL level, getting on the edge is unlikely. On the backside, the LG = -1 and the LT = -2. Play-action package off OZ action: Now, this is where the fun begins. Used for OutsideZoneBlocking when uncovered. We are trying to put both hands on the far shoulder pad. The end would line up head-up on the offensive tackle. What we've found most interesting is that unlike the inside zone, the outside zone does not have to be a cornerstone of your offense. This forces the safety to hold back and not come downhill for the run fit. Teams will use their H back to block outside out but then release him for a pop pass. <> 8 0 obj North Texas runs Iso Pop Pass down inside the red zone. As Jim Sweeney, a 16-year NFL center tells his lineman at South Fayette HS (PA), "We always try to stay parallel with our shoulders because we want the back to have a three way go. Lot of horizontal movement in the back field to open up the middle for the TE, Using the Sniffer Tight End in the Run Game, Outside Zone Midline in the Spread Offense. In a follow-up to the inside zone report that X&O Labs published back in early March, we wanted to research the most productive ways coaches are teaching the outside zone and stretch concept to their players. Join our Youth Football Movement today. The Hawkeyes have averaged over 160 yards per game on the ground each of the last four seasons. Engage, resist cross face move, take them outside/up field. The Outside Zone allows an offense to do this in a variety of different ways. This outside zone from the Rams is a great example of an overtake from the BSG and BST. Even if offensive linemen lose ground, the back can run off of those blocks and create positive plays that exploit fast-filling linebackers. This can be run from a variety of different formations and sets which makes it particularly difficult to defend. It no longer matters who is lining up in front of each offensive lineman. By slanting the defensive linemen a certain direction, itd cause the offensive linemen to follow them, which would then cut off other offensive linemen from being able to block linebackers. On the backside, the LG & LT (-1 & -2) will take care of the Nose and Will (-1 & -2) and the QB will read (or boot) the BSDE (-3) to account for him in the blocking scheme. Zone Read Scheme Rules, Techniques and Drills. Once the running back reads the tackle, he will bend it back toward the middle if he sees him pushing the defensive end to the sideline. Herb Hand, Vanderbilt University (Bounce, Bang, Bend). Outside zone plays follow the same basic rules listed above with a few general guidelines that should be followed. "Pro Rt. endobj The benefit of cutting off defensive linemen is that it naturally opens up running lanes for the running back. Zone blocking can most simply be described by saying that an offensive line is responsible for a specific zone instead of a specific man (as he would be in a man blocking scheme). This particular topic was highly debatable among coaches we spoke with. Programs like Boise State and Oregon thrive off running it from the gun, while the Colts ran it from under center, forcing the QB to get to the landmark quickly. The count works out from there. Terms and Rules Ace - Double . The last thing we wanted to address were the various "pin and pull" techniques that some coaches are using to get to the perimeter. They called it the 28/29 Edge play. Truth is, 80.8 percent of those that took our outside zone survey were high school coaches. "He wants to get started up field because he is going to come off on the next level. The added speed of the runner makes it more likely that the Tackle will be able to make the block but many teams will use the Running Back to seal the edge to guarantee that the ball carrier can get to the alley. (Full Explanation). Teams such as the Colts, under legendary offensive line guru Howard Mudd, used to full zone the front side of the play to provide for that fast flow displacement of the defense. Basic Zone Scheme PLAY DIRECTION RIGHT: Left shoulder 10% chance he is mine. Sometimes that deep step is needed to take over the next down lineman. endobj Select an applicable Action of either Block, Legacy CAPTCHA, Managed Challenge, or JS challenge. So, what defensive coaches did was ask all of their defensive linemen to slant one way or the other after the snap. Although Ruel doesn't teach a bucket step for those uncovered offensive linemen, we've found that the majority of coaches, 32.8 percent, teach a bucket step for that uncovered lineman. This is a simple way to zone block, without having to extensively teach zone blocking principles like covered-uncovered. It's a terrific complement to the inside zone and the myriad of schemes that come off the zone concept can provide the defense with tremendous conflicts. Of course there are many variations of verbiage when it comes to rules by different teams, but if an offensive linemen knows the direction of the zone scheme, he can adapt a hard-set rule to be successful: protect playside, head up, then backside. For spread teams, having the running back at an offset alignment or a pistol alignment gives the running back enough room to make a read off of the play side tackle. 5/5 Stars. 6 0 obj In this instance the Running Back will line up next to the Quarterback opposite of the play call. Case 4: The Path/Reads of the Ball Carrier. Know your steps and calls. If the defensive end has the play-side tackle in a stalemate, the running back will bang it next to their block to recoup some yards. Basic Zone Blocking Rules: Inside Gap (first rule is to protect inside gap) Head UP (head up is considered from inside shoulder to outside shoulder) Climb to LB. The fullback is responsible for picking up the defensive end on the left side of the field. On this play, the offensive tackle would have man blocking responsibilities for the defensive end, while the offensive guard would have man blocking responsibilities on the Sam linebacker. Outside zone is a concept that can be used as a base run play (Similar to how we detailed inside zone in the article). by Anonymous. Zone blocking philosophies can differ, but since it attacks space and gaps, the scheme can be incredibly versatile and effective against whatever front and look the defense presents. Even if they cannot gain the edge, running backs will work outside-in until a gap pops open. These indicators can include: Although the outside zone or stretch scheme is an outside hitting play, any interior penetration could slow down the course of the ball carrier. The left guard has someone in their play-side gap so they attack their play-side shoulder. Reps. Reps. Reps. Reps. Reps. That's all my guys did in practice. xTMo@[n%Oc The tackle would have to follow the end, based on his man blocking responsibilities. Third, the offensive linemen must keep their eyes on the linebacker. Thats where the overtake comes into play. By having the Running Back coming downhill the defenders are forced to react or risk being beaten to the edge. Follow, Head Coach Monterey HS @coach_besaw born and raised in the Spread (Eugene, OR) covering all things Spread Offense, A few different ways you can use the sniffer tight end in the run game This eliminates rules for the bend bang or bounces from the running back. But against stunting first level defenders, keeping both shoulders squared becomes a difficult fundamental to accomplish. This will allow them both to peel off successfully to the second level. Get 3 free templates to help you build an organized and structured team. Attention Youth Football Parents! Head Up, 50% chance he is mine engage and release if he goes inside. On running plays, this is especially important. Tenopir used to call this the "play boy" scheme because it's a fold block with the center and play side guard. It works great as a horizontal flow and is common to use on boot legs and play action. Click here. Again its important to drill this technique so it becomes second nature to the Running Backs. Outside zone forces defenses to run horizontally and puts more responsibility on the running back to make the blocking scheme of the offensive line effective. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The defense counters with four defensive linemen, as well as the Sam linebacker lining up in tight toward the line of scrimmage. A core component of their ground game has been a zone-blocking scheme, which Ferentz brought to Iowa City over 16 years ago, and continues to be a critical aspect of their rushing offense. Tenopir talks about the pull and overtake method by the uncovered lineman. The count is just a good starting point for the who the OL will block with anticipation of taking care of anyone that enters their gap. Click here now! These rules are why outside zone looks so "exaggerated," when ran (looks more like everyone's pulling). In fact, its the exact same as far as who the offensive linemen are blocking. Similar line blocking assignments: Just like the inside zone, the outside zone utilizes a full zone scheme. Contact us if you are interested in contributing content. He uses the drag hand to catch and hold the defender so he cannot penetrate.". That 3-technique would be the next adjacent down lineman. Required fields are marked *. It is critical that he is able to read the Tackle. "We're a dinosaur when it comes to our path. If the Tackle is unable to seal his man the Running Back must plant with his playside foot and cut vertically upfield. In this article, were going to show you exactly how to run outside zone and how you can install it into your offensive system. In this case, the defensive end is shaded to the outside shoulder of the right offensive tackle. In our example, the offense will have a fullback and running back in the backfield, a quarterback under center, and one tight end lined up to the right. Diagrams 8-10 (Keith Grabowski's RB reads on force defender) Can't see the diagram? The running back has three primary rules: bend, bang, and bounce. That movement will stop the penetration of the defender inside. "When you cut on the back-side of zone you knock off the rest of the offensive lineman that are trying to trail the play." Blocking Outside Zone Using the Count System The play is designed to go to the right. Currently 5/5 Stars. Unlike a full zone principle, this scheme involves down blocks and pulls at the point of attack. Sweeney recalled a story during his ten year tenure as a center with the New York Jets when star running back Freeman McNeil used to come over and watch the linemen during their individual session in practice. This made it very easy to teach, especially for younger football players who were just learning to play the game. Last, if the tackle successfully cuts off the defensive end, the running back will bounce the ball to the outside, hoping to outrun the rest of the defensive backs. To start on offense, the count will begin with the Center and then work to the front side. Teams that can effectively execute outside zone will have success. Man blocking schemes gave each offensive lineman the responsibility of blocking a specific defender on every play. We can't get a soft shoulder." RELATED CONTENT: Building an offensive line: 3 keys to improve combo blocking Get X&O Labs' New Report Revealing Boise State and Oregon's "Trigger" Concepts May 24th. Many teams have moved away from this because its very rare for the backside Defensive End to be able to run down the Running Back. Click here to sign up - it's FREE! https://spreadoffensefootball.com/using-the-sniffer-tight-end-in-the-run-game/. Outside zone is a versatile run play that forces defenses to play disciplined while also respecting the threat getting to the outside. Outside Zone From Football Fundamentals: Zone Blocking Schemes: Blocking Rules To really simplify this section, we'll treat the entire line as if it's the same, rather than splitting apart the front side and back side of the OL. The backside tackle and tight end fight to cut off their defenders and prevent them from shooting gaps. 9 0 obj The blocking has been simplified through the use of two blocking schemes-- inside zone and outside zone-- for a variety of different plays. At the snap, the defensive end would quickly slant to his right, going through the B gap -- between the guard and tackle. We take the fullback on force. He cannot get the linebacker until he gets there." Covered linemen are those . This not only provides for a wider blocking surface, but also keeps the horizontal displacement of the scheme giving the running back more room to operate (we will explain the RB reads a bit later). The Running Back is still making the same read on the Tackle. *KEY= get head inside hole with shoulders square and power foot forward on ground. Inside Zone Run to the right (14) or left (15) w/ a lead blocker. 101K views 4 years ago In this description of the inside zone you learn a new and simple way to make sure your lineman know who they will be working with on their combo blocks. endstream The offensive lineman is told that he must read covered or uncovered. There are certain indicators that would "tip off" some form of angle or stunt to the play side of zone. There are two primary rules: covered and uncovered. "He was the best in the business at that time and he used to tell us he always wanted to see our butts so that he can make the right cut. Used for Outside Zone Blocking when covered and facing an OUTSIDE SHADE defender. If you would like to discuss this topic further with Mike Kuchar, Senior Research Manager, X&O Labs, please feel free to email him at mikek@xandolabs.com.
