Drop Bucket Step on Outside Zone

Last time I checked - Joe Bugel, Alex Gibbs, Russ Grimm etc. DIDN'T drop (bucket) step, for the reason you listed.

Jim McNally, Howard Mudd, etc. DID!

It is all a matter of WHOSE teachings you believe in, & what works for YOU.

In his 2003 & 2004 lectures at the Gillman Gear clinics, he says he doesn't believe in the drop step. He then precedes to show about an hour of cutups proving that he doesn't. They were from the Denver team with Terrell Davis at RB. Suggest you get the tapes & study them. Yoy can order them from David at lgcuban@comcast.net

Hope this helps!

PS: Order Russ Grimm's lecture at the 2000 "COOL" clinic.; He says the same thing (no drop step)!

PPS: When A Gibbs was O-Line coach in San Diego under Dan Henning (before going to Denver), he didn't drop step there either. Dan Henning was a student teacher under me, & I have followed his teams wherever he was.

J.C. - WE don't drop (or bucket) step because we line up so far OFF the ball, there is no NEED to!

PS: OLZONE - Howard Mudd DOES drop step. He is GOOD. Here is an outline of HIS technique, followed by an outline of A. Gibbs' technique:

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 — "hanging" 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 — "piss 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.
"Cross 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 ("cross 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).


ALEX GIBBS — WIDE ZONE & TIGHT ZONE:

OFFENSIVE LINE SPLITS = 18". OFF THE BALL WITH THEIR FINGERS ON THE CENTER'S SHOE LACES.


WIDE ZONE (18/19):

1. RB: LINE UP 7 ½-8 YARDS DEEP. DROP STEP & RUN ON TRACK FOR YOUR LANDMARK - THE BUTT OF THE TE (OR WHERE THE TE WOULD BE) — PRESS THE HOLE. READ HATS OF THE FIRST TWO MEN ON THE LOS COUNTING FROM OUTSIDE-IN (EXCLUDING Lbers). IF THE OUTSIDE MAN COMES IN — YOU GO OUT. IF THE OUTSIDE MAN GOES OUT — YOU GO IN & READ THE INSIDE MAN (RUN OFF HIM). RB IS PERMITTED ONLY ONE CUT, AND LIVE WITH IT! DETERMINE WHERE YOU WILL CUT BY THE TIME YOU GET TO ORIGINAL ALIGNMENT OF TE'S BUTT.

2. QB: COME OUT AT 4 (8) O'CLOCK & MAKE HANDOFF. FAKE BOOT AWAY.

3. O-LINE/UNCOVERED: UNCOVERED MAN ZONING TAKES AN OPEN (LEAD) DIAGONAL STEP WITH HIS PLAYSIDE FOOT FOR SHOULDER PAD OF HIS COVERED TEAMMATE. STAY ON TRACK & OVERTAKE DLM — DON'T BLOCK Lber UNLESS HE IS EVEN WITH YOUR INSIDE SHOULDER & THREATENING THE GAP.

4. O-LINE/COVERED: THE COVERED MAN STEPS WITH HIS PLAYSIDE FOOT & AIMS HIS FACE FOR THE OUTSIDE SHOULDER OF THE DLM (STAY ON HIS OUTSIDE ½, AND IF YOUR HALF GOES IN — TIGHTEN ON DOWN; IF YOUR HALF GOES OUT — WIDEN; STAY ON LEVERAGE POINT SO AS NOT TO ALLOW PENETRATION). NOTE: BLOCKING C.P. FOR ALL LINEMEN (ON BOTH ZONE PLAYS = ELBOWS TIGHT — CONTACT WITH TRIANGLE OF FOREHEAD & HANDS — GET HANDS INTO BREASTPLATE & GRAB CLOTH — LEVERAGE/DIP HIPS (DROP DOWN LOW).

5. BACKSIDE CUT BOCKS.

6. WR'S BLOCK THE SAFETIES (FORGET THE CORNERS).



TIGHT ZONE (14/15):

1. RB: FIRST STEP LIKE OUTSIDE ZONE & PLANT, CROSS OVER, & ROLL ON TRACK TO YOUR LANDMARK - THE OUTSIDE LEG OF THE ON G — PRESS THE LOS. READ THE HAT OF THE FIRST DLM OUTSIDE THE CENTER (NOT COUNTING A SHADE). IF HE GOES OUT OR DOESN'T MOVE — ROLLBACK READING THE HAT OF THE NEXT DLM INSIDE. IF HE GOES DOWN — READ THE HAT OF THE NEXT MAN ON LOS OUTSIDE OF HIM FOR YOUR CUT. BASICALLY — IF THE DLM YOU ARE READING DOESN'T PINCH INSIDE, ROLL BACK. DETERMINE WHERE CUT WILL BE WHEN YOU REACH HEELS OF ORIGINAL ALIGN OF ON G.

2. QB: COME OUT AT 5 (7) O'CLOCK & MAKE HANDOFF. FAKE BOOT AWAY.

3. O-LINE/UNCOVERED: (TECHNIQUES ARE TIGHTER ON TIGHT ZONE). UNCOVERED MAN ZONING TAKES 1 LEAD STEP WITH HIS PLAYSIDE FOOT AT HELMET OF DLM & IF HE WIDENS — GO UP ON Lber (DO NOT CROSSOVER WITH BACKSIDE FOOT IN TIGHT ZONE — BUT YOU DO IN WIDE ZONE). IF DLM COMES INSIDE FRONT HIM UP.

4. O-LINE/COVERED: THE COVERED MAN STEPS WITH HIS PLAYSIDE FOOT & AIMS FOR THE OUTSIDE # OF THE DLM.

5. BACKSIDE: ZONE BLOCK LIKE FRONTSIDE.

6. WR'S: SAME AS WIDE ZONE.


BLOCKING CALLS: SAME CALLS FOR "WIDE" & "TIGHT" BUT THE TECHNIQUES DIFFER AS ABOVE:

A) "COMBO" = ON TE & ON T (ON T UNCOVERED & ON TE COVERED).
B) "SLIP" = ON T & ON G (ON G UNCOVERED & ON T COVERED)
C) "GAP" = ON G & CENTER (NOSE OVER TO A POINT CENTER CAN'T HANDLE)
D) "SLUG" = CENTER & OFF G (VS WEAK SHADE)
E) "SCOOP" = OFF G & OFF T (3 TECHNIQUE ON OFF G)
F) "ELEPHANT" = OFF T & OFF TE
G) "TRIPLE" = 3 MAN COMBO INTO REDUCTION BECAUSE HE DOESN'T FEEL ON G CAN HANDLE A 3 TECH. BY HIMSELF).

NOTE: MUST KNOW IF YOU ARE ZONING (HAVE ½ OF THE MAN) OR DO I HAVE HIM BASE (COVERED/UNCOVERED RULES).

IMPORTANT:

1. RUN AS MANY RUNS TO OPEN SIDE AS TIGHT END SIDE!!!!!
2. MAIN OBJECTIVE = "NO NEGATIVES" (MUST NOT GET LESS THAN

We teach both a bucket and a drop step - two different steps for us because what it does to your shoulders. We drop when the man is head up and bucket when he has outside leverage.

However, as an OG who ran lots of OZ, I never needed to bucket - I was very quick.

The key is really having the OL take the steps HE needs to get on the aiming point. That is a function of the blocker's quickness, footwork, and technique and the alignment, quickness, and technique of the defender. I tell my players that ultimately they have to choose the proper footwork than they need to get to their aiming point with as much force as possible. Some have to bucket even if there is a man head-up, while others can hook a shade or gap player.

I know this sounds like I'm giving the keys to the asylum to the inmates, but I rather teach my players how to make the adjustments they need to counteract certain defensive techniques and make the play (and live with a few bad decisions) than have them be robots who can't problem solve and think for themselves.

Bill,

How deep are your vertical splits on outside zone? Also, do you take the same vertical splits on inside zone? Do you believe in adjusting your vertical and horizontal splits according to defensive structures and defensive personel? I have always taught my players to adjust their splits. Some coaches say that the defense will catch on to the different splits, but it has been my experience after a couple of series they are concerned with just getting lined up.

By the way I just ordered A. Gibbs inside zone tape looking forward to viewing it. Had the opprotunity to meet Gibbs when he coached o-line for the chargers at the Bill Williams clinic.

KW,

Have been coaching 41 years now and haven't a clue what your referring to when you speak of a VERTICAL SPLIT for the 0 line. Could you please clarify? Do you mean how the line aligns on the center as Bill tells you he aligns deep with the OLM's head on the center's belt? We do exactly the same thing on the OSZ, crowd the line when we want a vertical push for the ISZ. Other than that, I'm lost as to your meaning of a vertical split. Thanks for your time.

Coach Easton

Coach Easton

J.C.,

The vertical split is the depth the OLM.

SMART SPLITS — Size of splits may vary with:
• Defensive structure and defensive personal.
• Offensive play and individual personal.
• The offensive lineman's ability, quickness and cofidence level.


VERTICAL SPLITS (Depth):
• Tight: offensive lineman's alignment is with the down hand on the back of the ball.
• Normal: alignment is with the down hand on the toes of the center.
• Loose: alignment is with the down hand on the instep of the center's feet.
• Deep: Down hand on the heels of the center make sure helmet is aligned with the waist of the center.
• The key to good alignment is to have tackles aligned on guards and TE's aligned on tackles.
HORIZONTAL SPLITS (Width):
• Mini: guards, tackles and tight ends 12 inches.
• Normal: guards two feet, tackles two feet, tight ends three feet.
• Max: guards three feet, tackles three feet, tight ends 3.5 feet.


*THE RULE SPECIFIES THAT NO LINEMEN'S HEAD CAN BE DEEPER THAN
THE CENTERS WAISTLINE. LOOK INSIDE!

Thanks for your time,
kw

KW,

Who wrote those rules? Do you not ever crowd the LOS in short yardage situations? It isn't a matter of showing a tendency, it is the matter of getting the job done by shortening the step of the OLM before making contact and getting his second step down with his combo partner getting hip to hip to better facilitate the vertical push. What level do you coach at? If the down linemens hand is ON THE BACK OF THE BALL HE IS OFF SIDES AS A NEUTRAL ZONE INFRACTION BY ALIGNMENT. IF HIS HAND IS BEHIND THE BACK OF THE BALL, HE IS LEGAL.

Coach Easton

When crowding LOS our OLM's heads are even with Center's shoulder. When we are zone blocking, our splits are 12-18" and sometimes as wide as 24".

JC

PS: you didn't tell me at what level you coach, as to me that makes a difference in what you can accomplish and what you can't with zone schemes. Just my opinion, as always.

JC

J.C.,

Will you widen the BSG's split on inside zone? For example, if he has a 2 or is the max 24 inches.

kw

J.C.,

We had a tough year we went 2-8, but could easily have been 5-5 a lot of sleepless nights. It is my personal belief the toughest level to coach is at the jr. college level, do not get a lot of press and every kid you recruit thinks they are a D-I prospect. CA doesn't offer any type of scholarship so kids try to get financial aid. I rather not say what school. I think the most competitive jr. college ball is in CA, but that is my opinion. Coach, it is all about recruiting and we recruited our butts off last year; however, kids for some reason did not want to come. We were in at the HS, on the phone, and in the homes. We get kids for about 18 months and of course the ones who do not play quit and bad mouth the program, but I hear that happens evey where. Kids shop themselves around. We have a beautiful school with great facilities the best in the state with about 20,000 students. Our base offense last year was a spread one back, on TE. Of course we had different personnel groupings. Base defense was a 50. I was the o-line coach but we had a HC change and have moved to the defensive side. Brought his own guys in for offense. He and the DC respect my ability to coach so they kept me on, but that is how the business works, as you know. Coach I do not have a favorite zone teacher, but respect the ones who have taught me the zone concept. We have 11 coaches on staff. It is tough to get a teaching job at the jr. college level so I teach at a local HS. Makes for very long days, as I am sure you know. This year recruiting is going much better and hopefully there will be some improvement. Coach, I respect your opinion and having been on this forum have learned a few new things and that is what it is all about.

Have some close friends who coach at the D-I level and it is a very tough job; your lucky if you can hang your hat at a school for a few years. Long hours and time away from their families. Have a close friend who coaches at a D-I and they just had their first child and the hardest thing was having to go out recruiting, which you know takes a lot of time away from the family. It was tough on him at first.

kw