Covered/Uncovered Definition

Coach,

In the zone concept there are uncovered linemen and covered linemen, in which the footwork varies. An uncovered lineman is defined as having no defender aligned either head up or to the playside or call side gap on the L.O.S.. A covered lineman is defined as having a defender aligned head up or in the playside or call side gap on the L.O.S. If you have questions please e-mail me at kwilmesh@cox.net

Along the lines of covered and uncovered laid out by Coach Easton when zone blocking using this rule is to never pull a covered lineman with you when working a combination block. ACE, Duece, & Trey Combinations should be done with one covered and one uncovered lineman. Coach Campbell

Coaches

Yes, I agree you should never pull a covered linemen in the zone concept. However, I disagree with your concept of covered and uncovered linemen. In the zone concept you define a covered linemen and uncovered linemen on the down defenders alignment; if the tackle has a 4i or a 5 and the guard has a 2 or 3 then they are both considered covered what about the center is he covered or uncovered. You will always work to depth to the 2nd level defender. What about the backside tackle he has a 5 tech and the guard as a 3i and the WILL LB is 4i at depth the play is inside zone to the right in this scheme who do considered as the uncovered and covered linemen? The tackle is considered uncovered and the guard is considered covered. The tackle will take his uncovered steps and the guard will take his covered step. Each linemen has a zone. If there is a 2i on the call side guard the center is uncovered the guard is covered. If there is a 2i on the guard and a 4i on the tackle were is the SAM is he in a 9 on the TE? Uncovered step by the center, uncovered step by the guard and covered step by the tackle. In my terminology ace is a combo block between the PS guard working to the BS LB, Duece is a combo block between the PS guard and the PS tackle working to the BS LB, and trey is a combo block between the the PS tackle and the PS TE working to the BS LB. Don you use those combo blocks in your zone scheme? Thank you for your time.

On the backisde of zone away from the call side you do not block the 5 tech. That is the reason the decide play is so big right now. If the 5 runs up field hand the ball to the rb. If he 5 crashes pull the ball out and qb keeps.
kw

Coach,

Of course you do not block a read man, didn't mean to insinuate that. Where do you coach, KW, and at what level? You seem to be well versed on zone schemes.

Coach Easton

KW,

But back to the inside zone scheme that we were originally discussing, we are always going to block the backside 5 just as the three teams that oneback points out do it VERY SUCCESFULLY on the NFL level. I usually close my posts with "just my way" but this is not appropos in this instance as it is not just my opinion but rather the opinion of many, many successful zone coaches among which are Russ Grim, Alec Gibbs, Jim Hannifan, Joe Gibbs just to mention a few.

Coach Easton

how about with one TE to the call side with no TE away from the call side; just the tackle, does he block the 5 tech?

kw

KW, an added thought:

You could send the BST to the WILL I guess but then the 5 tech is a much greater threat than the WILL, IMO, and I'm going to block him. How would you do it, coach?

Coach Easton

Coach KW,

Your right about semantics, an ace block to me is the BSG and C or the PSG and C either one. A deuce is the G and T and a trey is the T and TE. I am taking that you say Will is a 4i at depth that you mean he is a 40 tech in my terminiology (DLM tech + 10 ) at his normal depth. I don't like to count on holding the BS 5 with a QB fake, as some of those guys (jervon Kerse types) can really play and hawk your QB going away down the line. I played QB long enough to know that hurts and I try to protect our QB's as much as is possible. Again, just my way.

I get guys who got overlooked coming out of college and didn't get drafted. This is my 11th year at this level as a HC and former franchise owner. I started my team in 1993 and sold out and retired at the end of the 2003 season going 76-23-1 for regular season play, 2 Division Championships, 7 play off wins and won the 1994 AFL Super Bowl Championship. Sent 31 players on to the NFL, the CFL, the Arena 1 and af2 leagues, and the NFL Europe league. I paid my players, yes. After being "retired" for 8 months, was contacted by another owner who was starting a new franchise and wanted me to be his HFC. Made me an offer and have been back at it ever since building the new team. We open our preseason next Saturday night. I run a 5 wide empty gun as our base passing formation, but run and throw out of some 25 formations or so. Primary run formations are pro "I" and Ace, don't see much option at our level but we run it just enough to keep opponents on their toes to get ready for us. I run it mostly out of the "I" (triple-ISV + OSV for the most part). We slide, BOB, and make a hybrid out of a little bit of both (pull both guards to create cup) etc. In my base spread which is a 3 x 2 empty gun, we see the classic 6 on our 5 alot and we put a hat on 5 of them and count on the QB being his own best blocker and using his legs to run out and away from the free runner. If they try to put more than 6 in the box, someone is uncovered and we try our best to make them pay for that mistake with hots. Just my way.

Coach Easton

How many players do carry and do you have to make cuts? How many coaches on your staff and do you pay them? How many times do you practice a week: not the 20 hour rule I hope, Ha Ha. What levels have you coached at? Spread them out. Yeah need hots built into the package. Coaches it has been great talking with you.

kw

KW,

We play according to the NFL rule book. Yes, cuts are very much a part of the regimen as we usually get about 75 out and can only carry 53 by season's opener. I have operated with as many as 9 coaches and as few as five. Yes, they get paid. We just completed our 30th week of off season preparation that consists of weight lifting, cardiovascular enhancement, general conditioning and class room. We are unrestricted as to how many hours we can practice, etc. and we work about 10 1/2 months out of the year. We were in shells until we went to "camp" 45 days ago, and have been in full pads ever since. We worked 4 days a week in the winter and went to five when we went to camp. We are itching to hit somebody besides each other. It has been great talking with you also, coach. Don't be a stranger to the board, enjoyed your posts.

Coach Easton

KW,

Bill just gave you the basis for what we teach, and believe in. You know, as always, it comes down to what you know and are comfortable teaching. Best of luck in the upcoming year ahead that will be here before you know it.

Coach Easton

There are more than two ways to skin a cat.

kw