Zone Concepts / Terminology Question

for the vertical push to the bslb to really be effective running inside and outside zone

two te oneback, , check to the 7, then check to the 1, then bring over the wr for the force

this allows double teams where you want it

Coach,

That's pretty good stuff. It's funny you mention it, but I've never considered the combo to backside backer as "zone," but if you think about it, the concept is the same. And that's something we've been doing for years in our "power" game.

Like Coach Campbell has taught, I think a lot of it has to do with how you are running the play and how you are delivering the ball.

If we are running any type of "power" play (iso, kickout, traps, power, etc.) then we use the technique you described as going from the first level defender to the backside ILB.

If we are runninng any type of direct-action play (dive, belly or double dive, etc.) then we run the vertical push going from the first level and tracking playside ILB.

We have never run any Stretch or Zone Toss style of play. I read Oneback's post from a while ago and he talks about Nebrask's system, of which I have a video for. The techniques and rules he described in his post are the same, and that's how I've always understood it. However, their "inside zone" concept of "stretch base" and "stretch double" is not the same as the vertical push we run on our direct hit stuff. It seems more suited for a C-gap or TE landmark / delivery for the RB. Their "outside zone" concept of "rip reach" and "pull and overtake" are what I think of for using a very fast developing outside play, such as a toss, jet, or fly sweep by a RB.

So, this being the case, are there truly 4 styles of Zone Blocking, each with its own fundamentals on the OL?

as far as I know, the techniques for both types of vertical push are essentially the same

the rules may differ a tad, the only main difference is who they are lookin at and coming off on

for the OZ, we just handed it off different and had the ol block it totally the same up front as IZ.


we ran enough of the inside zone and just watched flow
if the linebackers were sitting a little, we would run stratch
if they were flowing a little for the stretch then inside zone
if flow a lot=counter (well, counter anytime, but you know)


The rules are progression style

P=playside-45 step to wider depending on width
O=on-45 step into the guy
B=backside-straight step with playside foot, unless we need to wrong step it due to personnell issues
A=anything else-zone playside with anything else that is funky or weird looking

The qb set up for pass off of the stretch
and booted out the backside off of inside zone and counter

Alex Gibbs popularized running the Toss with "Wide" (outside) Zone blocking at Denver with Terrel Davis. He says that there is absolutely no difference in the blocking, and they only reason they SOMETIMES TOSS it is when the "O-Line's feet are moving backwards" (being overpowered) - which ruins the RB's COURSE on Wide Zone. Check out his tape on Wide Zone/Tight Zone. You can order it from David at lgcuban@comcast.net It is a must for zone blocking coaches. I think Alex Gibbs taught the OUTSIDE ZONE better than anyone I ever saw, just like I feel that Joe Bugel taught the INSIDE ZONE better than anyone else!

Coach Oneback,

I will contact your friend immediately. Do you have any idea where I may be able to get ahold of Joe Bugel material on the IZ as well? Are the two styles compatible in your opinion?

Thanks for your help. I've taken a lot of what you and others have said out here in various posts into great consideration when thinking about zone schemes.

Coach tog,

Thank you! These are some simple ways to look at things. That's nice for players AND coaches!

PS: Basic Zone blocking rules:

ZONE BLOCKING RULES:

A) (EVERYONE) IF YOU ARE UNCOVERED — ZONE WITH YOUR TEAMMATE TO PLAYSIDE.
B) (EVERYONE) IF YOU ARE COVERED LOOK BACKSIDE - #1 IF YOUR TEAMATE BACKSIDE IS UNCOVERED - ZONE WITH HIM. #2 IF YOUR TEAMATE BACKSIDE IS COVERED — MAN BLOCK.

I am trying to consolidate running plays by using zone rules. Right now we have 4 total run plays wiith variations to them. Zone, Iso, Toss, and Counter. We only practice 2 times a week with sporatic attendance so I can't overwhelm the guys with too many blocking schemes.

Traditionally our toss was with frontside Guard pulling and sealing around to get MLB, tight end trying to seal DE in, and FB leading kicking out. This was never one our better palys, but we ran it as a token play to keep people honest. Anyway, I wanted to replace this with the Zone toss that the Broncos run. My intent would be that if the scheme was similar to our zone offtackle play, it would be easy learning for the guys. What is a simplified way to run this, if it all?

Also, I'm trying to merge my rules for Iso to more closely resemble the zone rules. Against a 4-3 under, when we run iso AWAY from the TE, it is very similar to zone blocking. Particularly the C and playside G combo DT to MLB. The playside tackles job is to ride out the DE and the FB leads thru the B gap. I'm struggling to find "universal" rules for the different scenarios like running this vs 3-4 defense to either the open side or tight end side. For years against a 3-4 running iso tight end side we ran the basic double down on the nose to backside LB with PSG and C, however this doesn't mesh with the zone rules, combo with your playside teamate if you are uncovered.

Is this is a situation where I can make "blanket rules" for the zone, the iso, and the zone toss or am I just trying to streamline too much?

Bill,

Thanks for the heads up about this video. Something I will definetly try to order.

It would help me GREATLY seeing these techniques taught on video. Hopefull it includes some drills that we can run in practice to help teach these methods.

I'm having a coaches meeting soon, and it would be really great for me to be better prepared with the stuff I need to go over with the line coach such as the types of drills were are going to do and just to get everyone on the same page offensively.

thanks again
Danny

PS: The following information from the University of Nebraska (when Tom Osborne was there) may be helpful to you as well:

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 (4, 5 holes), 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 4, left on a 5) 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 4 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 RB 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 can be done by a wingback in motion.

Outside Zone Blocking

The offensive line blocks Outside Zone Rules. These are the same as 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.

Their O-Line Coach - Milt Tenopir, & Joe Bugel (Redskins) shared a lot of ideas, so they are similar.

I have that "Offensive Line Blocking Fundamentals" video that Milt Tenopir did at Nebraska. His zone system is described exactly as the coaches have described out here. It's pretty simple, and it will be the basis for what we put in when we go more dedicated to zone this season.

Do any of you think this could be taught to 9 10's we have simple line blocking rules for our plays. Reading all the Oneback post I think I could put in one IZ and one OZ play. What do you think to much for them little guys.

Start off with MAN (0-1-2-3) blocking, & show them HOW if uncovered you can zone with outside teammate. Don't go beyond this concept, & work like hell to teach it, and I think you can get it done.

Brophy,

Pretty darn good, you have studied well. Just don't care for the bucket step tecnique, but that is just me.

Coach Easton