Post by kw on May 14, 2005 23:38:42 GMT
Inside and Outside Zone Blocking
By Ken Wilmesherr
Zone is different than other offenses because unlike other offenses there is no specific point of attack. Therefore, the whole defensive front is stressed. Inside and outside zone is not a man blocking scheme, but rather an area or zone blocking scheme. The zone play can break anywhere. Therefore, it is imperative that all linemen know that all blocking assignments are crucial. Stress to your players on inside zone effective backside blocking provides cutback lanes for the ball carrier. On inside zone there will be double teams where as outside zone there will be no double teams.
Coaching points:
1) It is important that your linemen know how to line up.
2) Know the deference between being an uncovered and a covered lineman.
3) Understand their blocking area or zone.
4) Know the landmarks and aiming points.
5) Understand the proper footwork between uncovered and covered lineman.
Vertical and horizontal splits: the vertical splits on zone are what I call loose, the down hand is on the insteps of the center. This will allow for at least three steps in the ground before contact. Horizontal splits may vary on the playside or call side and the backside of the play. The playside or call side horizontal splits are two feet. Backside splits will very depending on the down defenders alignment.
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.
Each lineman is responsible for a certain zone or area, for example; the backside tackles zone is from his nose to the backside guards playside or call side shoulder. The backside guards zone is from his nose the centers playside or call side shoulder and the center's zone is from his nose to the right guards playside or call side shoulder and so on. However, the playside or call side tight end's zone is from his nose to the sideline.
When teaching the zone concept I use playside and backside co-op blocks. Co-op blocks are defined as two or more adjacent linemen working together on a down defender on level 1 and a LB on level 2. A term I use is piggyback, which an uncovered lineman uses to handle slants, stunts, and blitzes. The uncovered lineman will try to piggyback the covered lineman on inside zone.
On inside zone uncovered lineman are reading the near hip and chasing the far hip of the down defender. If the down defenders hip disappears work to the second level defender. The landmark for an uncovered and covered lineman is outside the bodyline of the 1st level or 2nd level defender. The landmark for outside zone is the playside or call side armpit. On the backside of zone I will also teach a cut and scramble block. It is important not to have your lineman chase scrapping LB's because the LB is usually replaced by a slanting lineman.
I keep the footwork simple (3types): 1st type (covered steps for a covered lineman) the first step is a 6-inch lateral jab step. 2nd step is a vertical step through the down defenders crotch. It is important the shoulders stay square. The covered lineman can do one of two things with his punch either one-arm bench or rip to rise. A great teaching tool for the ripe to rise is the crowther progression (the flipper). Force the defensive movement off the L.O.S. and keep eyes on the LB. 2nd type (uncovered steps for uncovered lineman) 1st step is a bucket or drop step; the angle of departure is 45 degrees. The angle of departure will not change, but the depth of the bucket step will depend on the alignment of the down defender. I explain to my players their hip should open at a 45-degree angle to the sideline. I also talk in terms of losing to ground to gain ground. The 2nd step is a vertical step through the defenders crotch. 3rd type of footwork is for outside zone. On outside zone all linemen will take uncovered steps. The 1st step is a bucket or drop step. Angle of departure is at a 45-degree angle. The offensive lineman is trying to rip the funnel on the bucket step. The funnel is the elbow, ribs, and armpit of the defender. The entry level of the funnel is between the elbow and ribs, the end of the funnel is the armpit. When ripping the funnel the lineman needs to stay square. Ripping the funnel will disallow the defender to hold. 2nd step is an outside reach step trying to step on the outside toes of the defender.
I have my linemen make thin or thick calls on inside zone at the L.O.S. These calls are determined by the LB's alignment. For example, if the defensive structure is a 4-3, the center will make a defensive recognition call to alert the entire line. The backside guard then makes a co-op block call to alert the backside tackle. Thick call: the backside tackle and guard are blocking the 2 or 3 to the Will LB, the Will is thick on the 2 or 3 (the Will is stacked over the end or in c gap on the backside) the guard will hang on the 1st level defender creating a double team until the Will LB commits. Thin call: the Will LB is splitting the crotch or stacked over the 2 or 3, the guard will make a thin call to alert the tackle that he will not get much help on the 1st level defender. The footwork will also change on a thin call; the guard will take uncovered steps.
Drills I use every day to work uncovered and covered steps for inside and outside zone. 1st drill is the pipe drill. In this drill our offensive linemen work on all their steps: inside and outside zone, down block, base block, and pulling (5 minutes). 2nd drill (covered step) I have 6, 2-by-4's 14 inches long. I place 6 linemen on a line. I place the boards next to their right foot (inside zone to the right). Their foot should be in the middle of the board. I will give them a snap count. From a three-point stance they will take one-step a 6-inch lateral jab step over the board. Have them hold their step to make sure they are not losing ground, look for balance, and that they have their weight on their instep. Next you can have them take two steps (through the crotch of the defender) and then three steps. Next (uncovered step) I will place the boards at a 45-degree angle and back this works on the bucket or drop step. Linemen will work on their angle of departure with hips open at a 45-degree angle. Give a snap count and from a three-point stance have your linemen take one step and hold. Then two steps (through the crotch of the defender) and then three steps. Look for balance distribution and weight on their insteps and not the balls of their feet. The boards are used as a visual reference and landmarks for footwork. This is a great off-season drill. You can also work against air or shields depending on the day. If you have any questions please e-mail me at kwilmesh@cox.net
By Ken Wilmesherr
Zone is different than other offenses because unlike other offenses there is no specific point of attack. Therefore, the whole defensive front is stressed. Inside and outside zone is not a man blocking scheme, but rather an area or zone blocking scheme. The zone play can break anywhere. Therefore, it is imperative that all linemen know that all blocking assignments are crucial. Stress to your players on inside zone effective backside blocking provides cutback lanes for the ball carrier. On inside zone there will be double teams where as outside zone there will be no double teams.
Coaching points:
1) It is important that your linemen know how to line up.
2) Know the deference between being an uncovered and a covered lineman.
3) Understand their blocking area or zone.
4) Know the landmarks and aiming points.
5) Understand the proper footwork between uncovered and covered lineman.
Vertical and horizontal splits: the vertical splits on zone are what I call loose, the down hand is on the insteps of the center. This will allow for at least three steps in the ground before contact. Horizontal splits may vary on the playside or call side and the backside of the play. The playside or call side horizontal splits are two feet. Backside splits will very depending on the down defenders alignment.
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.
Each lineman is responsible for a certain zone or area, for example; the backside tackles zone is from his nose to the backside guards playside or call side shoulder. The backside guards zone is from his nose the centers playside or call side shoulder and the center's zone is from his nose to the right guards playside or call side shoulder and so on. However, the playside or call side tight end's zone is from his nose to the sideline.
When teaching the zone concept I use playside and backside co-op blocks. Co-op blocks are defined as two or more adjacent linemen working together on a down defender on level 1 and a LB on level 2. A term I use is piggyback, which an uncovered lineman uses to handle slants, stunts, and blitzes. The uncovered lineman will try to piggyback the covered lineman on inside zone.
On inside zone uncovered lineman are reading the near hip and chasing the far hip of the down defender. If the down defenders hip disappears work to the second level defender. The landmark for an uncovered and covered lineman is outside the bodyline of the 1st level or 2nd level defender. The landmark for outside zone is the playside or call side armpit. On the backside of zone I will also teach a cut and scramble block. It is important not to have your lineman chase scrapping LB's because the LB is usually replaced by a slanting lineman.
I keep the footwork simple (3types): 1st type (covered steps for a covered lineman) the first step is a 6-inch lateral jab step. 2nd step is a vertical step through the down defenders crotch. It is important the shoulders stay square. The covered lineman can do one of two things with his punch either one-arm bench or rip to rise. A great teaching tool for the ripe to rise is the crowther progression (the flipper). Force the defensive movement off the L.O.S. and keep eyes on the LB. 2nd type (uncovered steps for uncovered lineman) 1st step is a bucket or drop step; the angle of departure is 45 degrees. The angle of departure will not change, but the depth of the bucket step will depend on the alignment of the down defender. I explain to my players their hip should open at a 45-degree angle to the sideline. I also talk in terms of losing to ground to gain ground. The 2nd step is a vertical step through the defenders crotch. 3rd type of footwork is for outside zone. On outside zone all linemen will take uncovered steps. The 1st step is a bucket or drop step. Angle of departure is at a 45-degree angle. The offensive lineman is trying to rip the funnel on the bucket step. The funnel is the elbow, ribs, and armpit of the defender. The entry level of the funnel is between the elbow and ribs, the end of the funnel is the armpit. When ripping the funnel the lineman needs to stay square. Ripping the funnel will disallow the defender to hold. 2nd step is an outside reach step trying to step on the outside toes of the defender.
I have my linemen make thin or thick calls on inside zone at the L.O.S. These calls are determined by the LB's alignment. For example, if the defensive structure is a 4-3, the center will make a defensive recognition call to alert the entire line. The backside guard then makes a co-op block call to alert the backside tackle. Thick call: the backside tackle and guard are blocking the 2 or 3 to the Will LB, the Will is thick on the 2 or 3 (the Will is stacked over the end or in c gap on the backside) the guard will hang on the 1st level defender creating a double team until the Will LB commits. Thin call: the Will LB is splitting the crotch or stacked over the 2 or 3, the guard will make a thin call to alert the tackle that he will not get much help on the 1st level defender. The footwork will also change on a thin call; the guard will take uncovered steps.
Drills I use every day to work uncovered and covered steps for inside and outside zone. 1st drill is the pipe drill. In this drill our offensive linemen work on all their steps: inside and outside zone, down block, base block, and pulling (5 minutes). 2nd drill (covered step) I have 6, 2-by-4's 14 inches long. I place 6 linemen on a line. I place the boards next to their right foot (inside zone to the right). Their foot should be in the middle of the board. I will give them a snap count. From a three-point stance they will take one-step a 6-inch lateral jab step over the board. Have them hold their step to make sure they are not losing ground, look for balance, and that they have their weight on their instep. Next you can have them take two steps (through the crotch of the defender) and then three steps. Next (uncovered step) I will place the boards at a 45-degree angle and back this works on the bucket or drop step. Linemen will work on their angle of departure with hips open at a 45-degree angle. Give a snap count and from a three-point stance have your linemen take one step and hold. Then two steps (through the crotch of the defender) and then three steps. Look for balance distribution and weight on their insteps and not the balls of their feet. The boards are used as a visual reference and landmarks for footwork. This is a great off-season drill. You can also work against air or shields depending on the day. If you have any questions please e-mail me at kwilmesh@cox.net
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