More Zone Technique Questions

Frontside rotation

THIS WILL BE A LENGTHY REPLY: YOU WILL FIND ALL THE ANSWERS HERE (ALTHOUGH THEY MAY DIFFER ACCORDING TO THE AUTHOR): PS: YOUR LINEMEN NEED TO USE HANDS, PERIOD!

#1 - NEBRASKA (OSBORNE'S YEARS)

Inside Zone Blocking

Inside zone blocking is designed to use the movement of the defenders against them as the running back finds the crease in the defense. Though inside zone plays are usually called to the guard or tackle holes (3,4,6,or 7), they can break open anywhere from tight end to tight end, depending on how the defense attacks.

Inside zone blocking rules allow linemen to use the movement and attack angles of the defenders against them. Whichever way the defender chooses to go, he is sealed off and the running back is prepared to cut off the block. Nebraska running backs are taught to attack the line-of-scrimmage (LOS) before cutting on inside zone plays. This gives the blocks the needed time to develop. The rule for the I-back is that his feet must replace the feet of the lineman before he can cut.

Inside zone blocking rules are keyed by whether a lineman is covered or uncovered. A covered lineman (one who has a defensive lineman aligned across from him) will execute a "stretch base" technique. This means he will take a short stretch step to the play side (step right on a 44, left on a 46) and attempt to control the playside shoulder of the d-lineman. The purpose of the stretch step is to invite movement by the d-lineman, then immediately engage him.

Uncovered linemen (no d-lineman across from them) execute a "stretch double" technique. Stretch double also calls for a stretch step to playside. The uncovered lineman then attacks the backside shoulder of the same d-lineman, creating double teams on most of the defensive linemen.

NOTE: the linemen operate on a system that moves to playside, NOT toward the hole called. On a 44 dive the play is called to the right guard, but the key is that it is a right side play. The right tackle's and right tight end's playside shoulders are their RIGHT shoulders even though the play was called to the left of them. The 4 hole is to the right side of the center, so right is playside for everyone on the line.

In executing the stretch double technique, the uncovered lineman assists the covered lineman to the playside; i.e., if a center and playside tackle are covered, the playside guard executes the stretch double with the tackle, NOT the center. If side-by-side linemen are both covered, the playside lineman is "on his own," and executes a stretch base block without double team help.

When executing the double team, both linemen follow what some coaches call a four hands-four eyes technique. This means they have four hands on the defensive lineman and four eyes on the linebacker in the area (their zone- which is where the name of the blocking comes from). When that linebacker commits to attacking the LOS one of the linemen chips off the double team and blocks him. The other lineman must be in position by then to take over the block on the lineman by himself. The linebacker is technically the responsibility of the uncovered lineman, but in practice either lineman can chip off and take the linebacker, depending on their position.

The goal of the stretch and stretch double is to create a cutback lane for the running back. When executed correctly, the "stretched" defender has moved in the direction of the call, and the stretch double prevents him from reaching a running back that has "cut back" against the flow of the play. If the double team can prevent the down lineman from making the tackle, and the "chip off" block prevents the playside linebacker from doing the same, the play can quickly get into the secondary.

The beauty of zone blocking is that the defense can pick its poison. Which ever way they choose to attack or stunt, the linemen (if they have perfected the zone blocking teamwork) can account for them. And the running back is trained to watch this block develop and cut off of it, no matter which direction the defenders are moved.

A very important block on an inside zone play is the backside seal block that allows the IB to cut back all the way to the backside TE spot if the whole defense fights to the playside. Depending on the formation used, the backside tackle, tight end, or fullback can be used to block the backside. A sure sign of an inside zone play is when the fullback heads away toward the TE without a fake while the IB goes straight ahead for a handoff. In one-back sets the backside seal cen be done by a wingback in motion. This is one area where big WB Troy Hasselbroek shone at the end of the 1999 season.

Outside Zone Blocking

The offensive line blocks Outside Zone Rules. These are similar to Inside Zone Rules in that they use the covered/uncovered read and playside direction. The blocking techniques, though, are different, as the plays are designed to get the defense moving laterally across the field and create seams in their coverage.

The covered lineman executes a "rip-reach" technique. He takes an angle step at the playside shoulder of the defensive lineman and rips with his backside arm. His job is to turn the DLs shoulders and get him off-balance and prepared for his partner.

The uncovered lineman executes a "pull and overtake" technique. He takes a shallow pull step toward playside (sometimes called a bucket step) and works to take over the block of his partner.

The covered lineman wants to rip through his d-lineman to get to the linebacker, while his uncovered partner takes over his original block. If the covered lineman is unable to rip through because the DL fights to the outside, then the covered lineman stays with that block and the pull and overtake lineman pulls around that block and finds the linebacker.


#2 STEVE LONEY (VIKINGS)

PRINCIPLES OF INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ZONE SCHEME

ZONE SCHEME- MID TEMPO SCHEME DESIGNED TO BLOCK MULTIPLE FRONTS. DESIGNED TO LATERALLY STRETCH THE DEFENSE OPENING DIAGONAL RUNNING LANES WITH BIG CUTBACK POTENTIAL.

KEY PRINCIPLES:

1. INITIATE MOVEMENT ON THE FIRST LEVEL AND CLIMB TO THE SECOND

2. NEUTRALIZE 1ST LEVEL AND PICK UP 2ND LEVEL AS IT INSERTS INTO THE FRONT

3. MUST BLOCK FORCE ( ALLEY OR SECOND LEVEL PLAYER ASSIGNED TO TURN PERIMETER PLAY INSIDE ) AND ZOT ( ZONE OF THE BACKSIDE TACKLE )

INSIDE ZONE

KEY: MUST DETERMINE IF COVERED OR UNCOVERED- THIS DONE BY SIGHT AND FRONT DETERMINATION

A. COVERED- 3 STEP ZONE (MAY HAVE HELP IF HEAD UP TO INSIDE)

1. WEIGHT TRANSFER STEP ( 6"-8" POWER STEP JUST OUTSIDE DL ALIGNMENT )

2. STEP TO CROTCH MIDLINE (KNEE TO NUTS )

3. WIDTH AND DISTANCE STEP - MAINTAIN BASE, GET GOOD POSITION AND DOWNHILL MOVEMENT

NOTE: MAY HAVE VERY SLIGHT HIP TURN TO TRACK

B. UNCOVERED- ZONE STEP ( STEP TO HIP OF PLAYSIDE DL- EYES ON LB) 3 CHECKS

1. CHECK SLANT- COVERED MAN PLAYSIDE ( 1 HAND IF SLANT BRING TWO )

2. CHECK PLUG- BACKER FILL (ATTACK V.S. IMMEDIATE FILL)

3. CLIMB TO BACKSIDE BACKER

NOTE: HELP INITIATE MOVEMENT THEN CLIMB- NO PIECE THEN CLIMB NOW

NOTES: BACKSIDE TACKLE IS ALWAYS CONSIDERED UNCOVERED

21 BLOCK- BACKSIDE TACKLE BLOCK END AND CLIMB TO WILL AS HE CROSSES MIDLINE

TUFF STEP- UNCOVERED LINEMAN STEPS BACKSIDE TO SECURE BACKSIDE COVERED LINEMANS BLOCK

A. TECH

1. STEP INSIDE OF OUTSIDE FOOT OF DL- EYES ON LB

2. FOREARM LIFT AND GET MOVEMENT

3. CHECK PLUG TO B.S. LB

OUTSIDE ZONE

A. DIFFERENCES FROM INSIDE ZONE

1. STEP OUTSIDE PLAYSIDE- SLIGHTLY BIGGER HIP TURN( DO WHAT ABILITY ALLOWS )

2. 2ND STEP - STEP ON PLAYSIDE FOOT

3. WIDTH AND DISTANCE STEP - MOVEMENT DOWNHILL

4. TARGET - PLAYSIDE ARMPIT

NOTES: IF COVERED IN OUTSIDE ZONE SCHEME - MAY HAVE TO WORK HEAD ACROSS AND FOREARM LIFT ( PIN WITH HEAD PRESSURE- PUMP PLAYSIDE ARM )

V.S. PLAYSIDE SHADE PRESS PLAYSIDE BREASTPLTE AND PULL BACKSIDE- TURN SHOULDERS AND WORK DOWNHILL



#3 HOWARD MUDD (COLTS)

HOWARD MUDD - INSIDE ZONE BLOCKING TECHNIQUE

I. ONSIDE:

A) COVERED WITH NO HELP

1. Outside middle target (aim nose 1€-2"€ outside middle)
2. Controlled strike - €œhanging€ lead step/drop step.
3. Accuracy more important than force – take time.
4. Step on outsides of his feet.
5. Hands on both sides of your nose.
6. Work hands and feet & press him away from you -€“ no turn -
Even if you'€™re not moving him – be ready to finish him when
RB moves him.

B) COVERED WITH HELP

1. Same as above until man leans or stunts to your help. Then
free outside hand & wait till you get to the depth of LB.
2. When it'€™s time to come off – block the LB on angle you find
him on – middle of cylinder – nose outside.
3. 2 hands goes to 1 hand.

C) UNCOVERED HELPING

1. Drop step & crossover -€“ lead hand up.
2. Landmark = œpiss on inside foot of defender.
3. Target outside middle.
4. Stay on down lineman until you reach depth of LB -
until he comes to you.
5. See LB &€“ feel the pile.
6. Don'€™t abandon course -“ wait for LB to read -€“ don'€™t
be impulsive.
7. 1 hand goes to 2 hands.

II. OFFSIDE:

A) CUTOFF (WORKING ALONE)

1. Take HIM to the play – don’t let him take YOU to the play.
"€œCross the T"€ on him.
2. Drop step deeper when he'€™s tighter.
3. Rip and arch your back.
4. Meet him in front of your buddy.

OHER COACHING POINTS ON INSIDE ZONE BLOCKING: (next page)
1. Block them on the angle you find them on – cover them up with the proper target - push and pester – stay on angle (don'€™t turn) - let RB move them for you.
2. Leverage the P.O.A. - €“ target! - €“ intercept pursuit ('€œcross T').
3. Leverage the man - €“ footwork - knee bend - €“ hands & feet.
4. Finish - €“ feet & hands -€“ attitude.
5. Middle of cylinder -€“ aim nose 1"€ – 2" outside - €“ big toe of my outside foot on outside of little toe of his outside foot, and little toe of my inside foot on outside of big toe on his inside foot (i.e. step on outsides of his feet).



#4 Joe Bugel (REDSKINS)JOE BUGEL -€“ INSIDE ZONE BLOCKING

NOTE: Uncovered man responsible for inside half of down lineman and covered lineman responsible for outside half of down lineman.

UNCOVERED MAN: Take a lead step and catch up with your covered teammate as you READ the near knee of the down lineman on him. As you work through your playside gap - if the near knee comes towards you block his inside number & fit him up sliding in the direction he is going (eyeball Lber in case he comes inside); if near knee doesn’t come towards you work up on Lber. 3 situations can occur (see COVERED MAN).

COVERED MAN: Take a lead step with your outside foot eyeballing outside number of down lineman on you – second step with inside foot thru crotch of opponent. You must think man block and only go to Lber when wiped off by uncovered teammate. 3 situations usually occur: 1) Down lineman is in an outside shade & stretches - you stay on him and uncovered teammate works up on Lber. 2) Down lineman is head up & anchors on you – use double team technique driving him into Lber & stay on him until wiped off by uncovered teammate then work straight up on Lber. 3) Down lineman head up or inside shade & slants inside – force him to flatten his slant & stay on him until wiped off by uncovered teammate then work straight up on Lber.

LINEMEN NOT ZONING USE DRIVE€ (MAN) BLOCKS. Don't worry about getting position on defender -€“ worry about blow delivery. When coming off the ball you guide with your eyes (aim with your face), and your eyes take you to the aiming point or landmark which is the playside #. Your first step is a short directional step and you throw your arms out of the socket (€œdon’t shoot from the holster€). On the second step, your power foot must be on the ground and you arm thrust (100% blow delivery) with your fists into his short ribs (below the pads), tucking your tail and €œlifting him out of his socks€. Don'€™t put your face or shoulder in, because you will be overextended and your head will be down.

NOTE: OUTSIDE ZONE BLOCKING : Only difference is that it is a wider reach (almost a pull) - uncovered blocker €œpiggybacks€ covered blocker & covered blocker reaches almost to hip of outside teammate. Uncovered blocker will stay on a down lineman head up on covered teammate, and covered teammate comes off on Lber - €œforcing the switch€. RB aims for butt of TE and cuts off his block.



#5 www.afca.com//pdf/03SM_Mitch_Browning.pdf FIND THIS ARTICLE - IT IS OUTSTANDING ("MINNESOTA'S BREAD & BUTTER - THE INSIDE ZONE" by MITCH BROWNING.

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