outside zone blocking rules

Outside zone is a running play on which offensive linemen focus their blocks on zones, or spaces on the field, as opposed to specific defenders (which is referred to as man-to-man blocking). Inside Drill - Inside Zone blocking. This could ultimately lead to catastrophe. Similar line blocking assignments: Just like the inside zone, the outside zone utilizes a full zone scheme. And if he crosses my face, I just want to continue on my path because it gives the back more space to run.". Better Know a Run Game- Crack Toss. It's used against and eight man front. The center is 0, the play-side guard is 1, play-side tackle is 2, backside guard is -1, and the backside tackle is -2. With the track of the running back, Jacksonville has forced the secondary of the Browns to flow hard over the top and get sealed off to the play-side. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright text 2022 by Football Advantage. Please reload the page and try again. Offensive lines were having a very difficult time with all of the zone blitzing of 3-4 defenses, and the stunts of 4-3 defenses. Learn more about spread offense runs plays from the articles below. He cannot get the linebacker until he gets there." :0d-D$:7l+kWqmW8\6*#$Iwf?jBhs(. INSIDE ZONE FROM WEAK OFFSET PRO I FORMATION Inside Zone Strong Inside Zone Weak Inside Zone Lead Strong Inside Zone Lead Weak OUTSIDE ZONE Coaching Points-Outside Zone Outside Zone Strong GENERAL FORMATION & PLAY SETUP COACHING NOTES : Inside Zone Ballhandler Notes : Inside Zone O-Line Rules Inside Zone O-Line Technique Notes : Miscellaneous Zone Running Game Notes: (3 pgs . It could help your offensive lineman with their footwork and open more holes for your running back to hit. stream Even the Blocking Scheme in itself is very different in the the . If not, run to the strong side A gap and cut off anything you could possibly see. It's basically the same principle X&O Labs uncovered back in March when we released our inside zone report. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time. In fact, its the exact same as far as who the offensive linemen are blocking. If they lose sight of him even for a minute, itll delay their ability to pick him up on that second-level block. It can also efficiently be run with one back, which would still give you the advantage of the leverage on the defense based on what you put into their gaps on either side. His main job is to cut off the players gap toward the play side. "We want the pulling guard (or whoever is uncovered) to get depth and distance on the pull. #12nzsMfBhJ@x~G$4BhOACeQ6Z98E y 'ILj*k>W\R 2 0 obj The play side guard blocks down on the nose and the center pulls around the guards block and up on the backer. 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. 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. Identify your man. "The aiming point for the drag hand is the backside pec of the defender. Navigate to Security > WAF > Tools. Linemen block their corresponding number while still working within the technique of the outside zone scheme. "We watch the inside foot pre-snap. If that foot is back chances are he will slant across my face. But how these coaches teach their blocking assignments will vary, as we will explain below. That means he can leave and climb after his own three steps and get onto a linebacker. 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. To see examples of the pop pass, watch the video below for full in-depth detail. It no longer matters who is lining up in front of each offensive lineman. On the backside, the LG = -1 and the LT = -2. NFL Offensive Lines: Alex Gibbs' Zone Blocking Scheme. If the center cannot reach the nose, he will make a "me" call to the strong guard telling him to block the nose and the center will pull to block the MLB. 17 Bellstone Drive, Bellingham, MA, 02019. This will close any holes between the linemen and prevent defenders from busting through them. 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 What are the key pieces of a successful Zone Run Scheme? The left guard has someone in their play-side gap so they attack their play-side shoulder. The outside zone concept is simple, but it doesnt need to be run only by multiple-back formations. 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). Landmark is the play side armpit of defender. "When you do both you're marrying two different principles so we need to really work on this. This system rewards athletic linemen that can climb to the second level quickly, and running . 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. Great against interior pressure: If you're successful with your interior run game like the inside zone and power, chances are you'll see the probability of interior pressure increase. For a more detailed breakdown of the concept, watch the video below of how the count system works and the technique involved in the scheme. He picks the foot up and puts it in the direction we want him to go. Sweeney doesn't subscribe to the "outside hand free" theory that Hand presents when working against a slanting first level defender. It all starts with. Here, the end man on the line of scrimmage to the play-side jabs in on the snap which allows for left tackle David Bakhtiari to be able to seal him and give the Packers the outside. Remember above assume BOB. As Kelly puts it, "the. So when we started compiling the report, we've found that the most heated discussion is whether or not to full zone or man block the scheme. Regardless of how the handoff takes places the Jet man will be getting the ball and stretching the edge of the field. Stick your foot in the ground and making a slashing cut north and south. First, all defensive linemen would line head-up on an offensive lineman. The BSG then gets up to the second level. Although this component won't be disclosed below, we will be covering this aspect in depth on May 24th when our Boise State/Oregon trigger concepts report debuts. On the backside, the LG = -1 and the LT = -2. Pat Ruel, the assistant offensive line coach for the Seattle Seahawks, teaches a stretch hook concept (a combo horizontal stretch and hook) for his covered linemen to the play side of zone. A federal appeals court on Wednesday ruled in favor of blocking the enforcement of a Louisville ordinance that allows 10-foot-wide buffer zones outside health care facilities, including a . The main philosophy in the outside zone is to cut off every defensive lineman. This meant that if the lineman's assignment went to the left, hed be required to follow him and vice versa. As the name suggests, Zone Blocking Scheme is quite literally blocking a zone, or an area of the field, rather than man. In 2011, Oregon averaged 9.8 yards per play as they ran this play 36 times for 353 yards and 2 touchdowns. Below, I explain how that method translate into one-on-one blocks in the inside zone. Zweifel will do this when he sees a C gap down defender to the play side. on October 11, 2013. It's not as wide. There are two primary rules: covered and uncovered. But here comes the beauty of the zone blocking scheme. Get X&O Labs' Coaching Research Reports FREE Every Tuesday. Last, the play-side tackle has one of the most important blocks in the entire play. 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. We need to turn his shoulders and he can't turn our shoulders. Case 1: "Covered" Blocking Concepts to the Play Side. When we conducting our research, we've found there are three particular scenarios in which coaches are using the pin and pull technique. This would result in one of two things -- both of which were good for the defense. 1st step = Zone 2nd step = crotch Landmark = inside hand on sternum. The off-season is an opportunity for your child to improve. He uses the drag hand to catch and hold the defender so he cannot penetrate.". Right shoulder, 90% chance he is mine. I would have no other time to run other schemes.". Coach starts off with a powerpoint lecture and then proceeds to his two main drills on tape and then advances to game film. It simplified the roles and responsibilities for each offensive lineman since he was only asked to worry about one defender. For clarification, the first blocker is the tight end, the second blocker is the fullback and the third blocker is the wide receiver play side. But besides that, the 2 plays are very different. Enter the Name/Description. 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. Aiming points and angles are some of the most important rules for the OL Outside zone is a versatile run play that forces defenses to play disciplined while also respecting the threat getting to the outside. If players are stacked, the lower number goes to the defender closer to the line of scrimmage. The Outside Zone begins with a lateral step to the playside; this is essentially a side step. PS Tackle to 'easy' release to MDM on 2 nd level. The occurs after contact. Ruel's Techniques of a Stretch Scoop (uncovered lineman): That last coaching point is the golden nugget. Here is one last example of how the flow and horizontal pressure of outside zone can exploit defenses. ", Milt Tenopir, the legendary offensive line coach under Tom Osbourne at Nebraska, believed in the same philosophy of having his covered offensive lineman really work to get to the second level. "We got it from Glen Mason while he was at the University of Minnesota. GOD - Gap on Down; GOLD - Gap on LB Down; GOO - Gap on Outside (pass) This topic is about teaching the inside and outside zone using 3-person groups during your individual periods. While I dont really believe this is completely true, I am a full believer in the power of the placebo effect. It requires speed and technique. The filled/unfilled system prioritizes their rules based on whether the play-side gap of an offensive lineman has a defender in it or not. Although these covered and uncovered concepts are the same ones we spoke of on the inside zone report, we wanted to provide a quick refresher. I believe that a player who thinks he can run fast will beat a player who thinks he is going to be running slow. There were numerous reasons as to why high school coaches don't tell their kids to cut block, but perhaps no other coach was more straightforward about it then Sweeney. Behind the Inside Zone it is the second most popular scheme at the professional and college level. It also is using 5G, IoT and Wi-Fi technologies to provide a wireless IoT network system for smart hospital wards. The aiming point is to track the outside hip of the play side tackle (note: The aiming point of the back is chasing the outside hip of the tackle. The TB chases the butt of the tight end on this. One way Duo is often explained is Power without a puller. In turn, this would allow the linebackers to roam free, unblocked, to make easy tackles in the run game or get to the quarterback in passing plays. C BT BG PG PT Q ET MB Y Team - Inside Zone blocking. If the defensive end stays to the outside (through the C gap), then the offensive tackle will stay on him while the offensive guard peels off to pick up the Mike. But what we got surprised us. While we found the objective clear, the methodology or technique that is used by that uncovered player varied among coaches. Now on the defense, the count begins with 0 and it starts with the first defender that is the immediate threat to the playside A gap. Running backs also have to be able to key and see that pre-snap to adjust their track accordingly. The PST kicks out the EMLOS. The backside guard gives a post arm to help the BST overtake. The biggest one is that if the ball is dropped by the runner it is considered a forward pass and the play is dead. As you can see from the description and illustrations, the slant and angle defensive scheme posed a big problem for man blocking schemes. Can't see the diagram? The running back has three primary rules: bend, bang, and bounce. The zone blocking scheme allows the offensive linemen to take a wait-and-see approach with blocking, allowing the play to develop before determining wholl block the linebacker on their side of the field. Each O-Lineman's goal is to get in between his man and the sideline, however, this lateral step will sometimes cause the defender to . *@,$Oe* R:MnRO_ *?r&*o}OQ!*M$}M Outside zone has been a part of NFL run games for decades. Again its important to drill this technique so it becomes second nature to the Running Backs. Instead, Sweeney spends more time alerting his lineman pre-snap about the possibilities of a stunt or scrape. This play, known as "Outside Zone" in their system (they called what most people would consider Outside Zone "Mid Zone"), quickly became one of the best plays in their offense. That caused offensive coaches to try to come up with a new blocking scheme thatd counter the slant and angle scheme and also protect against future defensive schemes that coaches might create. "If our linemen is covered, we let him cross over on his second step as long as it's up field," said Tenopir. Hand tells us the specifics of his ball carrier's path in outside zone from the shotgun formation. Depending on the offensive play called, at least two offensive linemen will work together in their blocking scheme on each side of the field. The double team on outside zone will be short lived and evolved into a co-op block between the PS Tackle and PS TE. Click here now! Theres a lot of moving parts and there are a lot of areas that need to be practice in a short amount of time. Offensive linemen, when facing twisting defensive linemen, can also either lock on man-to-man or pass it off in a. Xs and Oz: Outside Zone Rules Outside Zone Blocking The offensive line blocks Outside Zone Rules. We need to cut on this scheme because we think the 5-tech can run the play down on the edge technique." They designed whats called a slant and angle scheme that threw a big wrench in the man blocking approach. The key read is the TE. The scheme attacks space instead of players and offers a versatile play that doesnt demand vertical movement and instead stresses defenses on the perimeter. Required fields are marked *. (Full Explanation), Air Coryell Football Coaching Guide (Includes Images). In this case, the Center = 0, RG = 1 and RT = 2. 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. The defensive line wins outside leverage from both the defensive end and play-side defensive tackle spots. Can't see the diagram? Before we talk specifics, we wanted to give you a general consensus of why teams are running the scheme. Initially, the Inside Zone looks like a really simple play as. The 3 templates include: Last, the running back needs to read the block of the play-side tackle. 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. Case 3: Back-side Blocking Schemes (To Cut or Not to Cut). 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 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. <> Backside hand through the sternum. Those numbers for the defense can adjust in real time with pre-snap motion and fakes that move defenders into different alignments. Zone running plays are designed to block general areas across the line of scrimmage while the running back finds the best opening. On the right side, they'll double team the defensive end. the difference between an inside and outside zone, and how . This outside zone from the Rams is a great example of an overtake from the BSG and BST. The best part about the Outside Zone scheme is that it can be used in a multitude of different ways to attack the defense. <> Be aggressive, run your feet. 5. As that defensive tackle slants inside, the center leaves them because he knows his BSG is going to be on his 3-step track to overtake. Teams that can effectively execute outside zone will have success. ZONE Effective blocking on inside zone provides cutback lanes for the ball carrier. The Outside Zone Read is similar to the Inside Zone Read in the sense that it the Quarterback is Reading the Last man on the Line of Scrimmage and the Line is Zone Blocking. It is critical that he is able to read the Tackle. Some teams will have the Quarterback read the backside Defensive End on this play. Engage, resist cross face move, take them outside/up field. There are many blocking calls used today in youth football. They're starting to put like, a bunch of . If the defense has a bigger, slower defensive lineman, this is great to get them running and ultimately tired out. At the snap, they'd all either slant to the left or the right, depending on what defensive play was called, heading to the gap between two offensive linemen. On the left side of the line, they'll double team the defensive tackle. The backside tackle is looking to cut off the defensive lineman to his play-side gap. E. Bucket Step -6 inch directional step towardAiming Point. 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. And again, this is also not universal. 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. His job is to secure players in his gap so that the center can overtake him. This is a simple way to zone block, without having to extensively teach zone blocking principles like covered-uncovered. The center does an excellent job of helping on his defensive tackle and then passing them off to the BSG. It has become even more popular in the past few years with Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay basing their entire offenses around the scheme. Zone is great because it takes into account any spikes or slants from the defensive line. We will cut the one technique back-side with the back-side guard or if he has a three technique, we'll cut it with the tackle. 1 0 obj The concept is that the Running Back will be coming downhill and taking a handoff deep in the backfield. So, what defensive coaches did was ask all of their defensive linemen to slant one way or the other after the snap. Zone-locking or man-locking principles may also be applied to pass blocking. This forces the safety to hold back and not come downhill for the run fit. So why teach it? . Outside zone can be run from different formations, depending on where the coach wants the play to hit. That movement will stop the penetration of the defender inside. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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. ", But against stunting first level defenders, keeping both shoulders squared becomes a difficult fundamental to accomplish. 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. {}jY[5t?hY;6o~_ <> Outside zone is one of the hardest plays for the defense to stop, simply because it takes the element of power completely out of the situation. 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. <> The past season I coached our 8th grade team and we went 10-0 and won our league championship. 5/5 Stars. We're talking full displacement of defenders. Basic Inside Zone Blocking Rules Diagram. Versus a dominant nose or 2i technique (Diagram 11). Forward This Report to Coaches Using Our Easy Form. Get X&O Labs' New Report Revealing Boise State and Oregon's "Trigger" Concepts May 24, A tight or inside shade first level defender, A cheating second level player to the edge of the defense, Short 45 degree step, target is play side number of adjacent down lineman, Rip off hand and shoulder though his play side armpit (rip and run), Hook him using your shoulders and butt by leaning into him, not by turning your shoulders, If you're on the ground, defender can get up first and make the play, They can still go over you and make a play on the QB or RB. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. The slant and angle defense exposed one fatal flaw in the man blocking scheme -- that offensive linemen were asked to follow their assigned defender wherever they went. Copyright 2023 vIQtory Sports, all rights reserved. Unlike a full zone principle, this scheme involves down blocks and pulls at the point of attack. But against stunting first level defenders, keeping both shoulders squared becomes a difficult fundamental to accomplish. Chip and GO. Join our Youth Football Movement today. Using outside zone as a base run play opens up other concepts like play-action plays (where you fake the outside zone handoff and throw it deep outside) or gap schemes. "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. That PSLB thats unblocked is now the responsibility of the tight end. However, in the past few years under running game coordinator . Outside zone is a run play that takes advantage of the cut-off blocks and leverages the offensive line to get an aggressive running attack that will wear down the defenses pursuit. The tackle cannot come off the ball with no concern of the defender slanting inside. The running back has three primary rules: bend, bang, and bounce. Now let's zero in on the right side of the field to illustrate the example of which offensive lineman will peel off to block the Mike linebacker. The aiming point for the block is the playside shoulder of the defender.. There are two general approaches to how outside zone is taught. Teams will use their H back to block outside out but then release him for a pop pass. 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. Second, the offensive linemen must keep their shoulders square. Install Guide. He teaches his players to eye the outside armpit of the defender with the objective to always advance to the second level. Here we need to attack the play side armpit with the inside hand first, then work to the second level. 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. %PDF-1.5 O-Line: Blocking the Stretch/Outside Zone Scheme. North Texas runs Iso Pop Pass down inside the red zone. You may also use a Zone concept using tracks.