Oneback

Well then now I've HEARD of it, & I'm NOT saying it's wrong. I must confess that I have never SEEN anyone do it! I'm sure it has it's merits!

The BEST teacher of zone blocking HANDS DOWN in football (on ANY level) is Alex Gibbs when he was with the Broncos (2 Super Bowl wins) & Falcons. Last YEAR (2004) with the Falcons they led the entire NFL in rushing with a WHOPPING 5.7 yds. PER CARRY (on the INSIDE ZONE & OUTSIDE ZONE).

I have cutups of EVERY IZ & OZ they ran (INTERCUT FALCONS' COACHES' FILM) from 2004. I have YET to see a "Duece" on a 3 technique in over 2 hours of cutups just on their zone plays!!!!!

I see what THEY call a "GAP" call (Center & ON G vs 3 if Ctr uncovered); a base on the 3 if the Ctr covered, and a "TRIPLE" call (Off G/Ctr/ON G = 3 man zone block), but NO "Duece" (ON G & ON T combo)!!!!! By & large - zone plays are INSIDE/OUT combos. See attached article below. This is how I have always known zone blocking.


If I were you - I'd just run it the way it works best for YOU. I have run the Zones since 1981, & I know which way it works best for ME! I will be lecturing on this on Jan 21 at the Glazier Mega Clinic in Atlantic City.

ATTACHED ARTICLE:

Northwestern State University's
ZONE BLOCKING PRINCIPLES

By Chris Truax
Offensive Line Coach & Running Game Coordinator
Northwestern State University

Zone blocking occurs when two offensive linemen are responsible for blocking two defenders in a certain area towards the point of attack. The purpose of using the zone blocking scheme is to stop penetration, create movement on Level I (build a wall) and also seal off the onside linebacker. All zone blocks initially start out as an inside-out double team. As movement begins, either the outside blocker or inside blocker will gain control over the defender on Level I, allowing the other blocker to come off the block to handle the linebacker. In this type of blocking scheme, it is critical to create movement on Level I before coming off for the linebacker.

A. Inside Blocker - (Offensive lineman covered by a linebacker or uncovered.) Take a short lead step with near foot aiming for a point inside the hip of the defender aligned on the next offensive blocker and play side. We refer to this step as a zone step. As the inside blocker takes this zone step, it is important to read the movement of the linebacker. If the linebacker “Fast Flows,” you explode up under the defensive lineman with both hands. Upon making contact, whip your arms and move your feet like pistons working to get movement up the field. If the linebacker “Slow Flows,” punch and push off the defender with one hand and explode to the LB as you approach his level. Sometimes LB’ers are “Fast Flow” by alignment. We must be alert to this situation. Inside blocker must use two hands.

B. Outside Blocker - (Offensive lineman covered by a down lineman.) The outside blocker must read the alignment of the defender aligned on him so he can hit the proper landmark and initially create the movement on level one. If the defender is aligned outside eye or shoulder, the outside blocker will step with his near foot, aiming his head gear for the outside number. If the defender is aligned head up he will step with his outside foot, aiming his headgear under the chin of the defender. If he is aligned inside eye or shoulder, he will read step with his outside foot to block the outside number of the defender. If the defender loops-out or locks-on, we want the outside blocker to maintain contact and work the defender off the LOS.

Diagram 1A, 1B and 1C.


This movement off the LOS is important in zone blocking principles. If this defender remains inside of you, continue to drive and maintain contact – once you are forced off by the inside blocker now you can look for the scraping linebacker on Level 2. If the defender aligned on you slants inside – punch and push off the defender and explode to 2nd level when the linebacker crosses your face. Block the linebacker by exploding up through his play side armpit, using a good drive block technique. Remember – we want movement first. When we come off to the second level we will take the linebacker anywhere we can.
The following calls are the different zone-type blocks between offensive linemen at the point of attack:

1. “Single” zone blocking between the center and onside guard is necessary in order to handle the defensive tackle and middle linebacker. The onside guard will make the call when the defensive tackle is aligned head up or inside eye or shoulder on alignment. This call is to reaffirm the blocking assignment. (See Diagrams 1A, 1B, and 1C)

Diagrams 2A, 2B and 2C.


There are two types of “Single” blocks. The one in the diagram is a power single used on off tackle plays. The landmark is the play side number. The other one is used for wide plays and will be called a “Single.” The principles are the same except the landmark will be the outside armpit of the down lineman. If the defensive tackle is in a “1” or a “2” technique, the guard will read step with the play side foot. If the defensive tackle is in a “3” Technique he will step with the play side foot, aiming at the play side armpit on the “Single”.

2. “Double” zone blocking between the onside guard and onside tackle is necessary in order to handle the defensive end and inside (onside) linebacker. The onside tackle will make the call when the defensive end is aligned head up or inside eye or shoulder alignment. The onside tackle will alert the onside guard to possible “Double” by making either a 4 or 4-1 call or a double call. Double Blocking Scheme will entail two types of zone blocking – either a “Power Double” or “Double.” In order to determine which type of zone blocking we will use on a “double” will depend upon the hole we are attacking.(See Diagrams 2A, 2B, and 2C).


Diagrams 3A and 3B.


A. “Power Double” (4 or 4-1 Call) - used on inside zone plays. Onside tackle will read the alignment of the defensive end. If he is aligned in a 5-technique (outside eye or shoulder) he will block the defender with a play side step with his near foot to the outside number. No call will be made. If he is aligned in a 4-technique (head up) he will make a 4 Call and take a read step at the middle of the defender to block the defender under the chin. If the defender is aligned in a 4-1 Technique (inside eye or shoulder) he will make a 4-1 call and step with his play side foot to block his outside number. Stay tight to the defender. Remember, we want first level movement. (See Diagrams 3A and 3B)

B.”Double” - used on outside zone plays. Onside tackle will read the alignment of the defensive end. If he is aligned in 5-Technique (outside eye or shoulder) he will drive on the outside armpit with his near foot – no call will be made. If he is aligned in a 4 or 4-1 alignment, make a 4 or 4-1 call. Take an outside release with the play side foot to the outside armpit – whip your inside arm and shoulder up into the defender – bump off by getting width on your next step and explode to second level to seal or drive block the scrape off linebacker. (See Diagrams 4A, 4B, and 4C)

Diagram 4A, 4B and 4C.


3. “Triple” zone blocking between the onside tackle and tight end is necessary in order to handle the defensive end and onside linebacker. The tackle will make the call to the TE. The TE will alert the tackles to where the defensive end is aligned, head up or inside eye or shoulder on alignment. The tight end will alert the onside tackle of the defensive end by making either a 6 or 7 call. Triple Blocking Scheme will entail two types of zone blocking – either a Power Triple or a Triple. In order to determine which type of zone blocking we will use on “Triple” will depend upon the hole we are attacking.

A. “Power Triple” (6 or 7 call) - used Inside Zone plays. Tight end will read the alignment of the defensive end. If he is aligned in a 9-Technique (outside eye or shoulder) he will block a point up the defender's outside number – no call will be made. If he is aligned in a 6-Technique (head up), he will make a 6 call and step with his play side foot to lock the defender under the chin. If the defender is aligned in a 7-Technique (inside eye or shoulder) he will make a 7 call and step with his play side foot to block the outside number. (See Diagrams 5A, 5B, and 5C)

Diagrams 5A, 5B and 5C.



B. “Triple” - used on outside zone plays. Tight end will read the alignment of the defensive end. If he is aligned in a 9-Technique (outside eye or shoulder) he will drive on the outside armpit – no call will be made. If he is aligned in a 6 or 7 alignment he will make a call – take an outside release by using a short outside step – to the outside armpit, whip your arm and shoulder up to the defender – bump off by getting width on your next step. Then explode to second level to seal or drive block the scrape-off linebacker.

About the author

Chris Truax

Chris Truax is a three year staff member for the Northwestern State Demons serving as both running backs coordinator and offensive line coach. He previously coached at both Louisiana-Monroe and McNeese State, helping the Cowboys get to the Division I-AA National Championship in 1997. Truax was a four year letterman at LSU . He can be reached at truaxc@nsula.edu.

You do not NECESSARILY step playside. For example - IF the Nose is shaded AWAY from the playside on the Center - the Center steps TO the Nose. If a 4I is on the ON T - the ON T steps to the 4I. Those are not playside steps. You step to the AIMING POINT ON THE DLM - not necessarily playside.

There is a fraternity of GREAT O-Line Coaches in the NFL (they call themselves the "MUSHROOM SOCIETY"), & they all block it essentially the same. I study tapes from these gentlemen year round! Just to name a few - they are:

NFL O-LINE

1. JOE BUGEL (REDSKINS)
2. ALEX GIBBS (FALCONS)
3. RUSS GRIMM (STEELERS)
4. JIM HANIFAN (RECENTLY RETIRED FROM RAMS)
5. JOHN MATSKO (RAMS)
6. JIM McNALLY (BILLS)
7. HOWARD MUDD (COLTS)
8. STEVE LONEY (VIKINGS)
9. LARRY BEIGHTOL (PACKERS)
10. LARRY ZIERLEIN (BROWNS

I have game tape & play sheets from all these guys. They all block the SAME (assignment wise). There may be SLIGHT differences in TECHNIQUE, such as "to drop step or NOT to drop step", & I don't want to get into THAT), but they don't block ASSINMENTS differently).

Am also studying current Southern Cal game tape, Notre Dame game tape, Colts game tape, & Patriots game tape. They all use the zone plays & they block it the same also!

Contact me at billmountjoy@yahoo.com, & I may be able to forward something to you of interest.

So that we are on the same page - we do not call a backside shade on the Center a "1". It is simply a "0 Shade Weak" to us (some refer to weak shade as a "0-", and a strong shade as a "0+").


IF that is the case - the Center zones with the BACKSIDE GUARD (let's say on Inside Zone Right). His aiming point is the NEAR (playside) number of the shaded man. This can be done TWO ways, & I really don't see much difference:

#1 To keep consistent that the first step is with the PLAYSIDE (rt) foot - he can just pick it up an inch or two & put it right back down, then on his second step with his lt foot it is directly at his aiming point. NOTE: If he uses this technique - his first step is still with his playside foot - but he is not actually STEPPING PLAYSIDE! Key coaching point here is that he get the secoind step down QUICKLY before the shaded man contacts him!

#2 Others feel it is best just to step at the shaded man (on left 1/2 of Center) with the NEAR (lt) foot. I have found in over 25 years of running this play that it does NOT make a big difference.

The key point is that you need to combo that shade! The Backside Guard CANNOT take him alone on the Inside Zone!

PS: More often than not - we would prefer to run the Inside Zone TO the "shaded" side, rather than to the 3 technique side.

He (BS/G) takes a short lead step with his playside foot aiming for the SHADED NOSE. He & Center must GET MOVEMENT on the shaded man OFF the LOS. Center will most probably end up on LBer - but only when they get to HIS level (second level), or he comes to them. At THAT point, the Guard must front the shade up & take him over. Quite often they end up STAYING on the combo & trying to knock the shade into the lap of the LBer! That's better than coming off too soon!

ESSENTIALLY, the Off G has the backside 1/2 of the SHADE, & the Center has the playside 1/2 of the SHADE. They have 4 hands on HIM, & 4 eyes on the LBer to see WHO needs to come off on him, & WHEN (the later the better).

If Center is UNCOVERED he zones with playside Guard (who has the 3 on him) up thru the A Gap. MANY people we play will BRING THE 3 ACROSS THE ON G's face into the A gap. It DOES happen. In THAT case - the Center would end up getting a part of the 3 on the playside.

To be TOTALLY honest with you - the Inside Zone is MUCH BETTER to the 2I side BECAUSE YOU CAN GET IN BEHIND THREE DOUBLE TEAMS (in a 2 TE/2 WR/1 RB set like the Colts & Patriots use quite a bit). It is easier to "CRAM THE B GAP" to the 2I side than to cut behind a 3 tech already IN THE B GAP - particularly with a shade weak! We don't even bother CALLING the play to the 3 tech. side. I know that Alex Gibbs & Joe Bugel PREFER to run it AWAY from the 3! These two great O-Line coaches are my "role models" for o-line play!