Questions about installing the zone

There are many good Zone Coaches here but I will take a stab at your questions:


1 - Do you need a big OL to run either the inside or outside zone? I've heard from many coaches that if you don't have a big OL then don't even bother running the zone (and we don't have big linemen).
========While big linemen help iin just about any scheme, they are not as necessary, imho, for the Zone. The inside Zone is more power than the Outside zone(which is largely a matter of getting people cut off). Inside Zone is a lot of doubling which tend to help the smaller linemen. We have only had one big lineman in the last few years and we live and die with the zone.


2 - Can you install just the outside zone, or should you install the inside zone as well?
========I guess you could do one, but to make them effective they should be linked together, again IMHO.

3 - If you were to install the zone schemes, what complimentary run plays would you run with it?
==========We try to keep other plays to a minimum, we run a power scheme for short yardage, and a toss scheme when we want to get outside and are worried about stunts in the area of the Outside Zone handoff and a counter. And we use them sparingly.
A Reverse, A Draw, and a Double Dive Belly Play have been included some years.
Isos aren't necessary, we get them from inserting the FB on the inside Zone.

+++++++++++++++++Hope this helps.
toby

I have found that my smaller guys tend to be better at zone because they can move and get off the ball. They seem to also have a better ability of getting off the zone combo's to lbers better as well.
We run Dart, Jetsweep, trap and some speed option along with our inside zone and stretch play.

JD

ADDED THOUGHT: TRY REPLACING YOUR TOSS WITH A HITCH, IT GETS THE BALL ON THE PERIMETER (WHAT YOUR TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THE TOSS ANYWAY) IN A MUCH MORE EXPEDIENT MANNER! JUST A SUGGESTION, AS ALWAYS.

Coach Easton

uh, the Broncos have the smallest o-line and have had the smallest o-line in the NFL for years and look at their running game with zone blocking!!!

Darn right oneback.

Coach,

Yes, your jv and 9th graders can run zone. Your JH kids would be a question of can your coaches teach it and how much football do your JH kids know.

Just my opinion. Best of luck.

JD