Installing your run game

I would agree with oneback that inside and outside zone along with power and counter are very time expensive plays with the OL. IMO

We have run some option but try to keep it very simular to our zone and power schemes. We will run speed or zone option and block outside zone and we will run crazy option and block it like power.

JD

Install BOTH the Zone & Counter games on DAY 1, & give them equal attention. In GROUP work beginning day 1 - have a zone session, & a seperate counter/power session. That continues every offensive practice.

In INDIVIDUAL period - you teach the Drive Block; Angle Block; Cutoff block; Pulls; etc. In GROUP preriods - you teach the inside/out double teams used in Zone blocking, and the outside/In double team blocks used in Counter/Power blocking, ETC. In those GROUP sessions, you "PUT IT ALL TOGETHER" and rep your O-Line as a UNIT vs all the looks you are going to face, etc.

PS: Just SOME of the things you have to work on in those GROUP sessions (in addition to TECHNIQUE & ASSIGNMENTS) are these:

COMMUNICATION OF DEFENSIVE NUMBERED TECHNIQUES ON THE ZONE AND COUNTER/POWER BLOCKING:

Many NFL teams have the first covered offensive lineman outside the “Center Box” call out the number technique the DLM is in. This is primarily because you look for double teams from inside/out. The following thinking uses the Inside Zone & the Counter as examples (since on the INSIDE ZONE you double outside, and on the COUNTER you double inside – in reverse order):

EXAMPLE: The Right Tackle is the first covered lineman outside the Center (covered by a 4I, 4, or 5 technique). He calls out that technique as early as possible for the following reasons:

1. RT calls “4I” (inside shoulder).
A) On the INSIDE ZONE – this alerts the uncovered RG that he will most likely have to “take over” the 4I after the initial double team and push off the LOS.
B) ON the COUNTER – this alerts the TE that he will most likely have to come off the hip of the 4I for the backside LB (probability of no double).

2. RT calls “4” (head up).
A) On BOTH the INSIDE ZONE and the COUNTER - since a 4 technique might slant or pinch down, play the RT tough, or loop out – it’s a 50/50 proposition as to who will end up on him after the other comes off the double team (depending on which of the 3 charges he employs).

3. RT calls “5” (outside shoulder).
A) On the INSIDE ZONE – this alerts the uncovered RG that he will most likely end up on the LB (probability of no double).
B) On the COUNTER – this alerts the TE than he will most likely end up on the 5 technique (with the RT coming off the double).


NOTE: If the first covered lineman outside the Center was the Right Guard – he would make a 2I (inside shoulder), 2 (head up), or 3 (outside shoulder) call, which would alert the Center (on the INSIDE ZONE), and the Right Tackle (on the COUNTER) as to the probabilities on those plays.

NOTE: THIS IS NOT A GIVEAWAY TO THE DEFENSE, SINCE THESE CALLS ARE USED IN ZONE BLOCKING, COUNTER/POWER BLOCKING, & EVEN SOME ZONE PASS PROTECTIONS (& THEY ARE MADE ON BOTH SIDES).

RUSS GRIMM QUOTE: “ALWAYS KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE THE SNAP – AND ANTICIPATE THE WORST CASE SCENARIO (SO YOU WON’T COME TO THE SIDELINE & GIVE THE ALIBI THAT “HE SURPRISED ME”)!!!!! EXAMPLE: THE WORSE CASE SCENARIO FOR A TE DOWNBLOCKING A 5 TECHNIQUE IS FOR THE 5 TECHNIQUE TO LOOP INTO HIM (RATHER THAN STAYING IN A 5)!