Question for coach Mountjoy

LHREDSKIN,

I'm sure One Back will get right to your question as soon as he see's it.

Just thought I would offer some insight that may or may not prove helpful to you. Neither bill nor I advocate a bucket step, especially on the high school level. Neither of us advocate making contact on the 2nd step, always the first step. The 6 inch jab step is right on, make contact on that step also!!! We both teach that the second step is all important in getting it down almost simultaneously As to INSURE that your OLM maintains his all critical BALANCE. Your a line coach and I know you know that the man who makes contact FIRST usually wins that fight to control the opponent. But, if you are off balance on your second step, a good DLM will have you on your butt in no time flat.

We only back off the LOS on wide or OSZ plays, if it is an ISZ we are going to crowd the LOS as we will be going straight ahead and not laterally.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

LHREDSKIN,

The thought in the deeper alignment for the OSZ is to get the DLM moving laterally. When you crowd the line for the ISZ, THE CLOSER WE CAN GET TO SHORTENING THE ORIGINAL CONTACT POINT IS WHAT WE WANT TO DO. A word of caution I would add is to make the alignment differences SUTTLE and not BLATANT. It then becomes harder for the defense to detect where you are headed and you are not setting a tendency that can be picked up on.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

REDSKIN,

No matter what, we are going to make contact on our first step! An uncovered OLM will assist his team mate to his right and the short jab step for him is going to make his contact and prepares him to take over the block from his team mate.

A cut block is always good on a superior DLM no matter what the play. I say on a better player than your guy because if he can handle the guy with a more conventional block, I always recommend he do it.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

LHREDSKIN:

1) INSIDE ZONE:

We line up with 18" splits, & helmets on the Center's belt (from this depth - we can get the second step down BEFORE the DLM does, & also use the windup & arm pump necessary to move a defender OFF the LOS).

COVERED MAN ON INSIDE ZONE: The first step is ALWAYS to the "landmark", & that ANGLE changes depending on WHERE the DLM aligns (inside shoulder - head up - outside shoulder). The EYES direct the first step (which is with the PLAYSIDE FOOT) to the LANDMARK (outside number of DLM). You are CORRECT that if the DLM is inside shade or head up - your first step is just to "pick it up & put it down". If the DLM is outside shade or wider - the first step is a 6" "lead" step. Second step to the CROTCH of the DLM. From THERE - you react to his charge!

2) As to the "GAP SCHEME" - this is by far the best way we have ever used:

VERTICAL DOUBLE TEAM TECHNIQUE ON “POWER” (“DUECE”/”TREY”):

COACHING POINT: “GET KNEES WORKING NORTH & SOUTH; 4 HANDS ON DLM & 4 EYES ON Lber”.


“POST” (INSIDE BLOCKER): GAIN VERTICAL LEVERAGE (YOUR PADS LOWER THAN DLM’S PADS). FIRST STEP = DEPENDS ON HORIZONTAL LEVERAGE OF DLM ON YOU. IF HE IS TIGHT ON YOU – TAKE A 3” LATERAL STEP WITH YOUR INSIDE FOOT. IF HE HAS A WIDER SHADE ON YOU – PICK UP INSIDE FOOT & PUT IT DOWN (DON’T STEP AWAY FROM LEAD BLOCKER – GIVE HIM “BODY PRESENCE”). LANDMARK = NEAR (INS.) PEC OF DLM. SECOND STEP = DRIVE OUTSIDE KNEE JUST INSIDE OF INSIDE KNEE OF DLM. 2 HAND PUNCH TO NEAR PEC & EYES LOOK INSIDE IMMEDIATELY (FOR Lber RUN THRU). DO NOT LET INSIDE FOOT GO BEYOND OUTSIDE FOOT – SO YOU CAN COME OFF INSIDE. WHOEVER COMES OFF FOR BS/LB AIM FOR INSIDE # OF LB (SO HE MUST GO OVER THE TOP).


“DRIVE” (OUTSIDE BLOCKER): GAIN VERTICAL LEVERAGE (YOUR PADS LOWER THAN DLM’S PADS). FIRST STEP = LATERAL STEP INSIDE TO CLOSE AREA BETWEEN POST BLOCKER & YOURSELF. LANDMARK = NEAR (OUTS.) PEC OF DLM. SECOND STEP = DRIVE INSIDE KNEE JUST INSIDE OF OUTSIDE KNEE OF DLM. 2 HAND PUNCH TO NEAR PEC & STAY SQUARE (BOTH POST & LEAD BLOCKER STAY SQUARE – HIP TO HIP & SHOULDER TO SHOULDER).


NOTE: FROM MY OBSERVATION OF FILM – IT APPEARED THAT THE BLOCKERS STAYED ON THE “VERTICAL DOUBLE TEAM” TOGETHER FOR 3-4 STEPS (ON THE AVERAGE) BEFORE ONE OF THEM (USUALLY THE “POST” BLOCKER) CAME OFF FOR THE LB. THIS VARIES FROM PLAY TO PLAY – OF COURSE.




I spent the DAY yesterday at Redskins Park with Skins TE Coach "Renny" Simmons talking about this very thing (he coaches the zone combination between the ON T & ON TE - when the ON T is UNCOVERED)! If you care to PHONE me at 804-378-0116 (from 6 to 10 PM/EDT) I can explain it MUCH BETTER!

Phone 804-378-0116 (6 PM to 10 PM/EDT) if I can be of help.

PS: On what LEVEL do you coach?