Stretch/Outside Zone Rules

The more I consider the issue, the more I look at inside zone film from different places, the more I come to the conclusion that it is a language thing that is spurring this discussion. I watch film from Washington and I watched film from Denver. Right, they look the same. I watched film from Iowa and from 1990's Nebraska. They are not the same. All I am saying is that inside zone can mean something different to different people. It seems that - after consideration - it means the same to us (giving in to the point that Washington and Denver's versions are alike). The point that I am trying to make is that it is not the same for everybody. When I hear inside zone, I jump to the conclusion (sometimes mistakenly) that they are talking about the old version of two back zone (in which the FB may lead in many cases) and the play works vertically with little lateral movement - that is where it started. Watch Iowa for instance - there is no mistaking the difference - I don't care who taught it to them or where it originated, their's - and many others - is a version of vertical power off the ball. West Virginia - not the same - more like what we are agruing about (although still subtly different because they will hook if a DL sits). Texas - again basically the Gibbs style with subtle changes to the way they work backside combos. Overall, I see what you are arguing (Wash and Den are the same). Here is what I am saying - that is not the only way and sometimes we argue (as in this case) because terminology and language are misconstrued. My fault for jumping to conclusions about what others are talking about. But understand the purpose here - not all inside zone, not all outside zone, not all 3 step drop, not all . . . is the same from place to place. So one guys rules/techniques/concepts may not be viable in another person's system even though they call the play by the same name. By the way, I would love to watch those films with you. I would enjoy the experience. Unfortunately, I won't be on the east coast anytime soon.

It has been an enjoyable discussion for me. Thanks.

I believe that one major (but not the only) variation from team to team is how the FB is used in the inside zone represents different philosophies of the play. If he leads - for instance - the LBs comboed to by the OL change - thus changing the play. I'm sure you have seen a lot of this (i.e Denver's tight zone weak use slightly different combos than when run strong because of the lead back)

With that said, your second sentence cleared some things up for me with regard to our discussion. When I talk about differences from one to another, I'm not just talking about assignments (who they are blocking). I'm talking about how they are doing it. Aiming points, footwork, etc. To me, the WAY they block it is more important than WHO they block. Different coaches have a different purpose for their zone play and therefore, there are subtle differences with regard to how the play is executed. For example, Denver's tight zone is very likely to roll all the way back. Iowa's - not so much. They may block the same combinations but not the same way and that causes the play to have a distinctly different feel and result. On paper, they look the same. In the game they don't.

I coach H.S. We run wide zone, tight zone, and a stretch as our base mostly from one back sets - that is it. Nickel runs = We have a lead draw and a quick draw (off 3 step passing). Goalline - we mostly use a tight zone lead. I teach the running game. Our blocking combinations are the same for every play with exception of lead - our technique changes from tight and wide zone to our stretch.

Wide zone:
playside Covered - aiming point is playside knee/playside number. 1st step opens hips - point toes (not a drop step - we are already aligned off the ball) 2nd step is through the crotch. leverage playside 1/2 and stay with it - keep knee in crotch - eyes to the 2nd level.
Playside uncovered - backside 1/2 of next defender. feet - aiming point crotch and near knee. work to midline and work to square. eyes to LB. In some cases, the uncovered will force the DL out so the ball can cut up
Backside: We work a cutoff technique to seal the backside.
RB - pivot, crossover, press inside hip of TE. Read Last DL (primary read) to next DL inside (cut read) - (not contain LB even if he is on the line). 1 cut. If you see four, get four.

Tight zone:
Playside combos are vertually the same. Uncovered reads near knee of defender. If it disappears, climb. Playside G or C (uncovered) will force read (DT) out.
backside - we drive, Get both lateral and vertical movement.
RB - pivot crossover plant, bend toward hip of guard. read 1st DL past center. 1 cut - see four, get four.

Stretch - same combinations (assignments) but covered = rip through outside 1/2 with flipper. uncovered = three step bucket progression. Back aims 3 yards out and 1 yard back of TE and reads force player as primary read. We and width and to get the defense running laterally.

On the goalline/short yardage, we add a FB. We will wrong step the first bubble and work to backside pursuit. FB will lead to LB. When I think of traditional inside zone, this is what I think of. Vertical and working back to pursuit - forcing the ball upfield with only a slight chance of cutback. (My mistake as stated in my previous post is to assume that is what others mean).

Sounds like a little what you have been talking about huh. Interesting. Again, my point was always that there are variations - not that I do something special and different. We have tried to use some of the variations used by others and they don't work for us. That is why I say answers for my system may not be the answers for another persons inside zone.

Coach Mountjoy,

I wanted to post a thank you for putting up with my (often long winded) comments. Hope I didn't come across as though I am ignoring what is written - I do read it all and consider everything that is said. By the way, the Howard Mudd stuff was great. Learn a lot from your posts and glad to have the opportunity to debate things. I will email in the morning.