Read Side of Gun Inside Zone Ride-Decide

I do not use the ride & decide (it is FINE - we just don't use that much "gun").

Here is what Milt Tenopir says about the BACKSIDE TACKLE on Inside Zone blocking. You may remember that Milt coached the O-Line at Nebraska in the 1980's & 1990's - when Nebraska led the nation is rushing just about every season):

"The covered and uncovered theory holds true for everyone on the line of scrimmage except for the backside tackle. The backside tackle will execute a stretch double with the backside guard if the guard is covered". In other words - IF there is a man on the backside guard - the backside tackle helps him IRREGARDLESS of anything else.

Below is the entire text:

MILT TENOPIR – NEBRASKA ZONE BLOCKING


I. INSIDE ZONE BLOCKING:

The concept operates on the principle of our linemen being covered by a defensive lineman or being uncovered.

We are primarily concerned with getting horizontal or vertical movement on the defensive down lineman. The neat thing about this scheme is that our linemen merely need to know if they are covered or uncovered at the snap. We do give them a rule of: “on, playside seam, linebacker”, but a rule isn’t really necessary.

If our linemen have a defensive lineman on them we execute what we call a “stretch base block”. The first two steps by our covered lineman are critical.

If the defender is head up or on the playside shoulder, the first step is a lateral step to the call. We are trying to invite movement with the first step. Some coaches refer to this as a “bucket” step. We don’t want to lose ground on it, so we merely refer to it as a “stretch step”.

The second step is directed toward the middle of the defender’s body cylinder. Caution must be taken so this step doesn’t cross over our first step.

If you cross over, you lose all your driving power. Once the first two steps are taken, you are ready to strike with fists and drive the defender in the direction of his movement. Take him where he wants to go.

The uncovered lineman will also execute a “stretch step”, however, rather than going laterally, we step at the down defender that is covering our playside teammate. By stepping at the defender, we can stop a slant by the defender, enabling our covered teammate to re-direct and help get push on the defender.

The second step by the uncovered offensive lineman is directed at an imaginary point that is directly behind the near foot of the defensive lineman prior to the snap. If the uncovered lineman executes the first two steps properly, his head should be on the up-field side of the defender. If the defender plays straight ahead, a double team should occur between the two offensive linemen.

The linebacker is technically the responsibility of the uncovered lineman, but he must stay with the double team as long as possible until he has to get off on the linebacker. This means until you get to the linebacker or the linebacker comes to you.

The inside-out double team will create creases for the back to run through.

It’s important to stress that both linemen stay on the down defender as long as possible. Because of the rolling action of the running back, the linebackers normally flow to the call, then the uncovered lineman can bounce off late and get the linebacker on the rebound, allowing a cutback by the ball carrier.

The covered and uncovered theory holds true for everyone on the line of scrimmage except for the backside tackle. The backside tackle will execute a stretch double with the backside guard if the guard is covered.

If side by side linemen on the playside are both covered, then the one to the side of the play is on his own, executing a “stretch base block”.

If the playside guard, tackle, or tight end has a down defender lined up on the inside shade, get after him immediately, stepping with the inside foot. We assume he is already in a slant positon so there is no need to stretch him.

RB: Align at a depth of 7 yards. Roll to the inside leg of the playside tackle. Receive the handoff about 4 yards deep. Do not make a decision on whether to stay onside or execute a cutback until you replace the feet of our linemen. Press the point of attack.



PS: WE both NUMBER defenders, & use covered/uncovered. The BS/T's BASE man is #2 (whether he zones OR mans). This has helped us tremendously - he knows that #2 MUST be accounted for. I would think you would "ride & decide" off #3 (next man outside BS/T's man - #2). IF there is a #4 - you don't want QB kepping to THAT side!

PROGRESSION FOR TEACHING INSIDE/OUTSIDE ZONES

1. TEACH BASE MAN BLOCKING # ASSIGNMENTS

A. CENTER BLOCKS #0
B. GUARDS BLOCK #1
C. TACKLES BLOCK #2
D. H & Y BLOCK #3
E. #4 ACCOUNTED FOR SEVERAL WAYS.
F. NOTE: IF “0” IS NOT IN THE “CENTER BOX” – CENTER DESIGNATES “0” AS THE FIRST DEFENDER TO THE SIDE HE IS BLOCKING.
G. IN A STACK – THE DLM GETS THE LOW #.

2. TEACH “COVERED/UNCOVERED” (TO DETERMINES WHO ZONE BLOCKS
AND WHO MAN BLOCKS).

A. IF YOU ARE UNCOVERED – ZONE WITH YOUR PLAYSIDE TEAMMATE.
B. IF YOU ARE COVERED – ZONE WITH YOUR BACKSIDE TEAMMATE (UNLESS HE IS COVERED THEN YOU MUST MAN BLOCK).
NOTE: IF YOUR MAN IS STACKED IN A “TANDEM” – ZONE WITH TEAMMATE WHOSE MAN IS ALSO STACKED.

3. BLOCKING CALLS (ONLY IF NECESSARY – “GRAY AREAS”)

4. TEACH LANDMARKS (AIMING POINTS) FOR COVERED AND UNCOVERED
BLOCKERS (IN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ZONE).

5. TEACH THE 3 SITUATIONS THAN CAN OCCUR IN ZONE BLOCKING (DLM
GOES INSIDE, STRAIGHT AHEAD, OR OUTSIDE).


NOTE: TERMS OF IMPORTANCE:

A. COVERED = THE ALIGNMENT OF A DL HEAD-UP OR EITHER SHOULDER OF AN OL ON THE LOS.
B. UNCOVERED = THE SAME AS COVERED EXCEPT THE DEFENDER IS OFF THE L.O.S. BY ONE OR MORE YARDS. UNCOVERED ALSO INCLUDES A VOID (NO ONE IS ALIGNED IN FRONT OF AN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN).

DIAGRAMS TO ACCOMPANY THIS CAN BE FOUND BY GOING ONTO "GOOGLE" & PULLING UP COACHILLUSTRATED.COM (JOE PATERNO'S SITE). CLICK ON MY ARTICLE ON "ZONE BLOCKING PROGRESSIONS"! Any questions - give me a call at 804-740-4479 (before 10 PM/EDT)!