Football Coaches Directory and Glossary

Football Coaches Directory and Glossary



The following directory and glossary below are alert words and definitions that can be used to implement terms that can reinforce and motivate actions by your athletes. The terms and definitions below are used to assist you in understanding how techniques and schemes are explained that are used in implementing a lot of the modern-day concepts used in football today.



Jerry Campbell



The following information below will provide you information needed when discussing defensive down alignments vs your offensive formations and schemes. Anytime a defender aligns head-up against one of your offensive linemen he will be known as an even numbered defender. Whenever we talk about a shaded defender, he will be identified by using an odd number. Inside shaded defenders will be known as an “Eye” align such as 2i, 4i, and 6i alignments.



When discussing shaded defenders, the base alignment will be the inside foot of the defender splitting the midline of his offensive alignment. Whenever talking about a wide alignment it will be the inside foot to outside foot of the offensive personnel. When we talk about a ghost alignment it will be a defender outside on air, usually to an openside.



The importance for having your offensive line understanding defender alignments is because, it will make it easier when discussing strategy, assignment responsibility, and gameday adjustments on the sideline when your offensive line comes off the field.





Defensive Alignment Terminology:



"O" Technique - Head up alignment on the Center.

"1" Technique - Shade alignment on the Center.

"2" Technique - Head up alignment on the offensive Guard.

"2i" Technique - Inside Shaded alignment on the offensive Guard.

"3" Technique - Outside shaded alignment on the offensive Guard.

"4" Technique - Head up on alignment the offensive Tackle.

"4i" Technique - Inside shaded alignment on the offensive Tackle.

"5" Technique - Outside shaded alignment on an offensive Tackle.

"6" Technique - Head up alignment on the Tight End.

"6i" Technique - Inside shaded alignment on a Tight End.

"7" Technique - Outside Shaded alignment on the Tight End.

"8" Technique - Head up alignment on the Wing your side.

"8i" Technique - Inside shaded alignment on a Wing your side.

"9" Technique - Outside shaded alignment on a Wing your side.



The following numbering system which is used throughout many defensive approaches talks to Linebackers and their alignments.



10 technique: same as 1 technique only at linebacker depth definition

20 technique: same as 2 technique only at linebacker depth definition

30 technique: same as 3 technique only at linebacker depth definition

40 technique: same as 4 technique only at linebacker depth

50 technique: same as 5 technique only at linebacker depth

60 technique: same as 6 technique only at linebacker depth

70 technique: same as 7 technique only at linebacker depth

80 technique: same as 8 technique only at linebacker depth

90 technique: same as 9 technique only at linebacker depth

The following definitions and terms have been used when installing an offense. The definitions and terms listed below will help in your installation of the offense and keep us all on the same page with each other, many different descriptive terms exist but the ones used here will be the most beneficial for our athletes to remember and learn from.



Term Definition



Number one or Q (1) used to identify the quarterback position.



Number two (2) used to identify the wing-back or extra back



Number three (3) used to identify the "F" or fullback position.



Number four (4) used to identify the Tailback or “H” position.



X - Letter used to identify the split receiver.



Y - Letter used to identify the Tight End position.



Z - The letter Z is used to identify the flanker position



Personnel groupings are indicated below and will be used to alert certain players to certain formations and plays that they may be associated with:



The first digit 0, 1, 2, or 3 indicates how many backs you have in the called formation. The second digit indicates how many Tight Ends if any you are lining up with. If the second digit is a "0" then it means how many receivers, you are playing with predicated by how many backs you have called.



00 Personnel = 0 Backs, 0 Tight Ends & 5 Wide Receivers

01 Personnel = 0 Backs, 1 Tight End & 4 Wide Receivers

10 Personnel = 1 Back, 0 Tight Ends & 4 Wide Receivers

11 Personnel = 1 Back, 1 Tight End & 3 Wide Receivers

12 Personnel = 1 Back, 2 Tight Ends & 2 Wide Receivers

13 Personnel = 1 Back, 3 Tight Ends & 0 Wide Receivers

20 Personnel = 2 Backs, 0 Tight Ends & 3 Wide Receivers

21 Personnel = 2 Backs, 1 Tight End & 2 Wide Receivers

22 Personnel = 2 Backs, 2 Tight Ends & 1 Wide Receiver

23 Personnel = 2 Backs, 3 Tight Ends & 0 Wide Receivers

32 Personnel = 3 Backs, 2 Tight Ends (Power Football)



Word recognition for defensive personnel.



R - Rover - Outside invert to openside

W - Will linebacker away from our tight end

E - Defensive End

FS - Free Safety

SS – Strong Safety

T – Tackle

N - Nose

B - Sam / Outside Invert towards the tight end or strength

S - Sam linebacker or DE towards the tight end side

C - Corner

M - Mike / Middle LBer in Stack Defense



Defensive Schemes



3.3.5 – Three Defensive Linemen, 3 Inside Linebackers, 5 secondary cover defenders.



3.4.4 – 3 Defensive linemen, 4 Linebackers, 4 Secondary Defenders A defensive formation with three linemen and four linebackers. A professional derivative in the 1970s of the earlier Oklahoma, 5-2 or 50 defense, which had five linemen and two linebackers. The 3-4 outside linebackers resemble "stand-up ends" in the older defense. It is sometimes pronounced thirty-four defense. The 3-4 also was spun off from the Miami Dolphins' "53 defense" named for the jersey number worn by linebacker Bob Matheson, who was often used by the Dolphins as a fourth linebacker in passing situations.



4.2.5 – 4 Defensive Linemen, 2 Inside Linebackers, 5 Secondary Defenders. The most common way to describe a basic defensive formation is by stating the number of linemen involved followed by the number of linebackers. The number of defensive backs is usually not mentioned, though if it is, (such as in the "4-2-5"), the number typically appears after the number of linebackers, thus the formula would go (# of linemen)-(# of linebackers)-(# of defensive backs [if stated]) in these situations. This naming rule does not always apply when the personnel for a certain formation are lined up in a way that changes the function of the players in the defense. A good example to help explain this would be the "3-5-3," which actually uses the 3-3-5 personnel, but has the five defensive backs arranged with "3 deep", thus grouping the other two defensive backs with the linebacker group.



4.3.4 – 4 Defensive Linemen, 3 Inside Linebackers, 4 Secondary Defenders Several variations are employed. It was first used by coach Tom Landry. It is sometimes pronounced forty-three defense; the 4-3 defense needs ends who are strong pass-rushers and physically tough against the run. The defensive tackles should be strong against the run and agile enough to sustain pass-rush pressure on the quarterback. The stronger and more physical of the two outside linebackers lines up over the tight end, leaving the other, quicker outside linebacker to be more of a pass-rusher.



5.2.4 – 5 Defensive linemen, 2 Inside Linebackers, 4 Secondary Defenders.

A once popular college defense with five defensive linemen and two linebackers. Also known as the "Oklahoma defense", it is structurally very similar to the 3-4. In the 50 defense, the team uses a nose tackle, two defensive tackles lined up over or slightly inside the offensive tackles, and two defensive ends lined up over or outside the tight end. It maximizes size along the line of scrimmage and is mostly used in high school against teams that run the ball a lot.



5.3.3 – 5 Defensive linemen, 3 Inside Linebackers, 3 Secondary Defenders

A defense with five defensive linemen and three linebackers that appeared in the 1930s to combat improved passing attacks. The 5-3 defense and the 6-2 defense were considered the standard defensive formations of their time, with the 5-3 defense being regarded as the defense that was better against the pass. It was considered the best defense against the T formation. By the late 1950s, NFL defenses had switched to the 4-3 defense or the 5-2 defense as their base defense



46 Bear - Known as the Bear 46 defense; the defense was named after Chicago Bear Doug Plank’s jersey number. Usually pronounced forty-six defense, a formation of the 4-3 defense (four linemen and three linebackers) featuring several dramatic shifts of personnel. The line is heavily shifted toward the offense's weak side; both outside linebackers tend to play on the strong side outside of the defensive linemen; and three defensive backs (the two cornerbacks and the strong safety) crowd the line of scrimmage. The remaining safety, which is the free safety, stays in the backfield. It was invented by Buddy Ryan during his tenure as defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears and was popularized by the Bears during their Super Bowl XX championship season.



6.2.3 – 6 Defensive Linemen, 2 Inside Linebackers, 3 Secondary Defenders.

A defense with six defensive linemen and two linebackers that became popular in the 1930s due to improved passing attacks. The 6-2 defense and the 5-3 defense were considered the standard defensive formations of their time, with the 6-2 defense being regarded as the defense that was stronger against the run. As the T formation became more popular, the popularity of the 6-2 defense declined. By 1950, NFL defenses had switched to the 5-2 defense or the 5-3 defense as their base defense.



7.1.3 – 7 Defensive Linemen, 1 Inside Linebacker, 3 Secondary Defenders.

A defensive formation with seven defensive linemen, one linebacker and three defensive backs. It was invented by Henry L. Williams in 1903. By the mid-1930s, it was considered almost obsolete due to its vulnerability against the pass.



Seven Offensive Zones an Offense Travels Through



The following information will give you an understanding about offensive play decisions as an offense moves down the field. The following information for what an offense statistically does with their offense as they travel through the seven different field zones as they attempt to move the ball down the field to score.



Green Zone - Offense coming out defense must not let them get a first down because this gives the offense field position. Must hold offense to 2 1/2 yards our less. Defense can take chances in this area can get more aggressive, looking to force turnover.



Quick Kick - In the Plus 25 to the +20 is an area an offense may quick kick or quick kick after a penalty. Must practice this as part of your stimulus response.



Three Down Territory – Plus 35 to the 50-yard line is considered the three-down territory in which a defense must hold an offense to 3 yards or less because the offense will probably punt on 4th down.



Open It Up Territory – Minus 50-yard line to the -35 an offense will go to their bread and butter plays and will also use their trick plays.



4 Down Territory - Minus 35 to the 20-yard line is considered four down territory in which the offense will probably use all four downs to gain a first down. Look for offense to get ball to the person who got them there.



Red Zone – Minus 20 to the 5-yard line is considered the Red Zone where an offense will use play action passes and possible trick plays. Defense must get tuff.



Goal Line Defense – Minus 5-yard line and in, is considered the goal line area in which an offense may move their offensive formations into power "I" or formations that give a heavier look.







A



A-11 Offense - An offensive philosophy designed to appear as if all 11 players are eligible receivers. The offense exploits a loophole in the American football rulebook to technically make the formation a scrimmage kick, and the offensive line is spread across the field, all wearing numbers of eligible receivers, to confuse and deceive the defense. It was banned in 2009.



Ace – Combination alert between a Center and Guard.



Ace Lion – A combination alert between the Center and Left Guard.



Ace Ram – A combination block between the Center and Right Guard.



Ace Base - Combination between the guard and center, the base call is alerted whenever a linebacker walks up into a position that does not require him to be tracked with an Ace Combo, base calls off the combination. Base puts both the center and guard one on one with their blocking assignment.



Ace Get Hippo – Ace alerts a center and guard to get into combination with each other and to get hip to hip on their down defender. Get Hippo is automatic to the Ace call and can be used on outside, stretch, vertical and slow rotating zones for the center and guard.



Ace Fast - The Ace Fast is used with the center and guard on plays that go outside, normally with sweeps, tosses and load option plays. The fast combinations are normally used with drop step footwork.



Ace Slow - The Ace Slow combination block requires the L-step footwork and is used on ISO, speed, bounce, and inside veer option plays. Slow combinations require that the combination block slowly rotates on the down defender while tracking their assigned linebacker.



Agilities - short for agility drills; drills commonly used by position coaches during the 10- to 20-minute position-coach period at the beginning of most football practices; the theory behind them is that agility is a desirable football skill and agility drills make players more agile.



Against the Grain - direction of a ball carrier goes when he cuts back to the opposite side from the side he was originally running toward as in, “ball carrier cuts back against the grain”



Air Coryell - An offensive philosophy developed by San Diego Chargers head coach Don Coryell which combines power running with mid-range and deep-pattern passing. The Air Coryell offense relies on getting receivers in motion and out into patterns that combine to stretch the field, thereby setting up defensive backs with route technique and allowing the quarterback to throw to a certain spot on time where the receiver can catch and turn upfield. During Coryell's tenure as head coach in San Diego, the Chargers led the NFL in passing yards seven times; first from 1978 to 1983, and again in 1985.



Air Raid Offense - An offensive philosophy derived from the West Coast offense but adapted to the shotgun formation. In this offense the running game is heavily de-emphasized while quick, medium, and screen passes are highly developed.



Alley – This is a defender from the middle to the perimeter (“inside-out”) with responsibilities on the football quarterback on option.



All Purpose Yardage - The sum of all yards gained by a player who is in possession of the ball during a play. All-purpose yardage includes rushing and receiving yards gained on offense, yards gained on returns of interceptions and fumbles, and yards gained on kickoff, punt and missed field goal returns.



Anchor - Term used for the drop step placement of the outside foot in pass protections on straight drop back passing schemes. Set the anchor helps to slow any type of up field bull rushes by defenders. Setting the anchor in pass protection creates the stagger in the base of offensive linemen.



Approach – An offensive lineman should explode off the L.O.S. on the correct snap count. This is accomplished by first taking a lateral step (flat step) with the near foot or playside foot and exploding or rolling off the takeoff foot. As our offensive linemen take their base step or lateral step, it is important to work to get a BASE (width of the feet). As the offensive line explodes out of their stances it is important that we always keep our backs parallel and our shoulders square to the L.O.S. (don't open doors). This will aid in our offensive lines ability to get under the defender's pads. Aim the "nose" of your helmet (hairline) for the proper landmark making sure that your head is up, and the neck is bowed forming a "bull-neck" position.



Arc block - running-back or Tight End outside release block on a defensive contain man or linebacker; the word “arc” refers to the blocker taking a somewhat circuitous route to the blocking target, that is, he initially moves outward then comes back in to make the block; the running back’s path to the block is roughly a half circle



Area blocking - offensive blocking scheme in which blockers are assigned to block whomever comes into a particular area of the field; not synonymous with zone blocking which is a particular scheme defined below, although many coaches confusingly still use “area” and “zone” interchangeably; a blocking scheme in which blockers are assigned to protect an area of the field instead of being assigned to block a particular defender.



Attack Zone - That area from the goal to the 15-yard line offensively coming out where you will aggressively hold the offense to less than 10 yards.



Audible - A play called by the quarterback at the line of scrimmage to make a change from the play that was called in the huddle.





B



Backside - Backside terminology pertains to any action opposite the direction of the play being run.



Backward Pass - A pass thrown backward. Also called an "onside pass" in Canadian football. There is no limit to the number of backward passes or where they may be thrown from. Sometimes referred to as a "lateral", which specifically refers to a pass thrown with no motion toward either end zone. If the pass is not completed, it is automatically ruled a fumble, which can be recovered by either team.



Backpedal - running backward; correct technique requires keeping shoulders over the toes and pumping arms as when running forward; used by defensive backs and linebackers in initial steps of pass coverage at many teams; correct technique facilitates changing direction quickly; leaning backwards is faster but unsound because it only allows very slow changes of direction.



Ball – Call made when the, football is in the air or on the ground. This alerts total defense that the football has been thrown or fumbled. The entire sideline should be up yelling “ball” whenever a pass is thrown.

Bail - Movement in which a pass defender aligns as if to bump a receiver then quickly drops back when the snap occurs

Balance - Ball carrier ability to resist getting knocked down when hit by a would-be tackler

Balanced line - An offensive line with a guard and tackle on each side of the center

Ball Control – Play calling designed to get a first down rather than a bigger gain

Banjo – Two defenders playing man to man coverage on two receivers using an inside outside technique.



Base Block - One-on-one block between an offensive player and a defensive player.

Be Part of the Tackle - Always stick to the defender, using all your fundamentals and techniques. Never find yourself on the ground

Big Eyes - Get the eyes big when drive blocking a defender with the initial punch



Blind Side - Quarterback’s non-throwing-arm side; when set to pass, he faces the sideline on his passing-arm side and has his back to the other side preventing him from seeing a rusher coming from that direction; in the NFL, the offensive tackle who plays on a quarterback’s blind side is considered extra important during pass plays; b) any hit that comes from an area not being looked at by the player being hit.



Blitz – A call that indicates a secondary or outside invert defender(s) will come (blitz) on the snap of the football. Typically, the remaining secondary personnel play man coverage.



Block with Frame - Pass blocking that puts the offensive lineman between the defender and the quarterback.



Blocking Deep Secondary - When blocking downfield on deep secondary, you want the offensive blocker to stay on his feet and run through or over the defender. Never look back for the ball carrier - it is his job to run off the offensive linemen's block. As you approach the defender, step on his "toes" dip slightly at the waist and explode up through the man. Concentrate on driving your inside arm and shoulder (like throwing a right and left cross) through the outside hip of the defender. Aim high at the defender's numbers and roll him up by whipping your legs and hips through him. If you cannot get ahead of the ball carrier, "PEEL BACK" on pursuit. Always use good judgment - NEVER CLIP or throw a block when the ball carrier has scored or is about to score.



Blocking Outside on Support - As an offensive lineman starts his approach, he should get width and depth as if you are going to "HOOK" the defender. Make him think that the play is going outside of him. When you are approximately four to five yards from the defender - get INSIDE-OUT position on him giving the defender only one way to go. Once a defender has committed himself, get close enough so you can step on his "toes" and explode up through him kicking him out.



Blue Area – These are “no cover zones”, areas that the defender does not enter until the ball is thrown. The areas are: (1) Underneath area, 5 yards from the LOS extending across the field, (2) Area into sideline; for a flat defender the area is 6 yards from the sideline and for a deep defender the area is 9 yards from the sideline.



B.O.B. - Big-on-Big pass protection or one on one protection.



Boot – Action by the quarterback away from full flow or pre-called play action away.



Bootleg - An offensive play predicated upon misdirection in which the quarterback pretends to hand the ball to another player, and then carries the ball in the opposite direction of the supposed ball carrier with the intent of either passing or running (sometimes the quarterback has the option of doing either). A naked bootleg is a high-risk variation of this play when the quarterback has no blockers.



Boundary - Side of the offensive formation where the distance from the ball (before the snap) to the sideline is shortest, as in “the X will always align to the boundary when we are in this formation;” also known as the short side.



Box - An area on the defensive side of the ball, directly opposite the offensive linemen and about five yards deep; having eight players in the box means bringing in a defensive back, normally the strong safety, to help stop the offensive team's running game



Bubble Screen - A type of screen pass where the quarterback takes the snap and immediately throws to the inside-most receiver, who is moving towards the sideline with his body facing the quarterback, on either side of the ball. The receiver catches the ball, and then turns to run downfield using the additional receivers to block.



Bucket step - first step of an offensive lineman or back in which he dropsteps at about 4 o’clock or 8 o’clock; purpose is to begin moving toward the sideline; backward angle is to clear away from an adjacent player in the case of a lineman or for timing purposes in the case of a back, same as kick step.





Bracket – Two defenders playing coverage based upon a specific receiver's release and / or route. One defender will play the receiver man to man and the other defender will execute a zone drop.



Break – Term signifying defenders to break towards (or drive on) a thrown pass, immediately and at full speed.



Break the plane - The plane is the playing-field-side edge of the goal line. If the forward tip of the ball breaks the goal line before the ball carrier's knee or butt or shoulder or something other than his hand or foot hits the ground.



Buck Lateral - a series of plays within the single wing offense; buck lateral plays involve the upback or blocking back executing an about face when the ball is snapped then receiving a handoff from the original ball carrier as that player fakes diving into the line; the blocking back who now has the ball can lateral to another back, pass, or run the ball to a point of attack other than the hole to which the original ball carrier went.



Build the Wall - Use this term with your offensive linemen when you want them all working at the same level or when working a combo to create cut-off zones versus scraping linebackers.



Bump and Run – a defensive technique where the defender will initially hit the receiver at the snap of the ball and then run with him in coverage. This technique is used against offenses that rely on timing with the expectation that a receiver will be in a spot on the field at an exact time. Defenders may only bump the receiver in the first five yards forward from the line of scrimmage.



Bunch Formation – Tightly aligned group of two or three offensive quick receivers, typically used to run a screen to the backmost of the group of receivers or to run a rub pattern or illegal pick play; receivers coming out of the bunch generally cross paths to make it harder for the defenders to maintain man coverage



Bury - In pass protection working to the half man advantage inside vs a gap defender. Get your body across the down defender, helmet to the inside ear.



C



Cadence - The verbal signal that a quarterback uses to establish the offensive strategy before the start of the play. A quarterback may use a certain type of rhythm in order to call out plays or audibles in a way that teammates understand, but the opponent does not.



Carioca - refers to a sideways movement in which the player holds his arms out sideways away from his body like a referee’s unsportsmanlike-conduct signal; in the movement, the player steps first with, say, his right leg in front of his left, then the next time he steps with his right foot he steps behind his left foot; this is one of the favorite, most widely used agility drills in all of football.



Charlie – Alert for cross block by two adjacent linemen.



Chase Technique: This is automatically built into the defense and is determined by the type of defensive scheme called. Chase is used with your widest rusher off the back edge. The chase defender will keep the ball carrier on his inside shoulder and will only climb as deep as the back with the ball. A chase defender is responsible for defending Bootleg, Counter, and Reverse.





Cheat – Technique of disguising coverage initially but moving towards true alignment prior to snap of the football.



Check – Verbal call by the safety, indicating the possibility or a change in the coverage to another based on the opponent's formation.



Chop Block - Similar to a cut block in which one offensive player blocks a defensive player below the knees and another blocks them above the waist. It is illegal to block low if a teammate is already engaged with the defensive player blocking high, to prevent knee and ankle injuries.



Circle the Wagons - Circle the wagons is a descriptive term used for Jet, Toss running plays that go outside and for the sprint out passing game. Circle the wagons Intel's the full reach by an offensive lineman using drop step crossover footwork. This term alerts the offensive linemen to drop step their play side foot while working to rip their backside arm through the play side jersey number of the defender.



Club Alignment – This alignment, typically used versus a “wing-T” or “power-I” aligns the defender at two yards outside of receiver and two yards deep.



Coaching the Two Point Stance Advantages - A 2-point stance affords better vision and balance for an offensive lineman as his head is upright and able to see how the defense is lining up and/or moving around. It’s harder for an offensive lineman to see what’s in front of him when he’s in a 3-point stance as the head naturally wants to look down.

Coffin-Corner Kick - a punt aimed at the sideline inside the opponent’s ten-yard line; formerly standard practice; lately largely replaced by the pooch kick.

Collapse Technique – Can be any down defender who plays through the back door and who are the next defender inside the chase player when the ball goes away. A Collapse player can also be Sam or Rover who are playing a base assignment (Sweeper). Collapse Tackles and Ends will play off the back heels of the offensive line. Collapse players are responsible for all cutback plays. Collapse players have "B" gap away for taking their proper pursuit angle. This is a technique that has the defender looking for any potential cutback or quarterback scramble.



Comeback Route - A receiver or tight end route where a player runs straight upfield a specified number of yards, plants hard, turns and runs back towards the sideline at a 45-degree angle. Despite the name, a wide receiver does not come back towards the quarterback; instead they try to catch the ball and guarantee getting out of bounds.



Contact - First contact by an offensive lineman MUST be with the hands followed by the "nose" of the helmet in order to control the charge of the defensive man. Upon making contact, you want the blocker to whip his "fists" or "palms" up into the defender's chest with a lifting type action. This will aid the blocker in getting the roll-of-the-hips into the block and to control the defender. It is important that the power producing angles remain in the legs and that the shoulders remain higher than the hips. The blocker must now arch his back and get his feet underneath him.



Contain – Defender must keep the ball on the inside shoulder on pass or run. This is typically the second force defender.



Contain Rush - Outside-in pass rush by a contain man to prevent the quarterback from scrambling or dashing out to his side; that is, contain pass rusher must take a slightly circuitous route to the passer so he comes in from the side, not from the passer’s front; all sound defenses have a player on each side who is assigned this responsibility.



Counter Rotate - Used when blocking any ISO or Belly ISO play / Part the Sea, pushes through the near ear of a down lineman. The goal for a counter rotating blocking scheme is to push away through the near ear which creates what looks like the parting of the seas.



Coverage - An attempt to prevent a receiver from catching a pass. There are two general schemes for defending against the pass:

Man-to-man – each eligible receiver is covered by a defensive back or a linebacker

Zone – certain players (usually defensive backs and linebackers, though occasionally linemen) are assigned an area on the field that they are to cover.

Common types of coverage:

Cover Zero – strict man-to-man coverage with no help from safeties (usually a blitz play with at least five players crossing the line of scrimmage)

Cover One – man-to-man coverage with at least one safety not assigned a player to cover who can help on deep pass routes.

Cover Two – zone coverage with the safeties playing deep and covering half the field each. Can be "cover two man", where every receiver is covered by a defensive player, or "cover two zone" (also known as "Tampa two"), where a CB covers the flat zone, "OLB hook zone" or a "MLB curl zone".

Cover Three – zone coverage as above, but with extra help from the strong safety or a cornerback, so that each player covers one-third of a deep zone.

Cover four – as above, with the corners and safeties dropping into deep coverage, with each taking one-fourth of the width of the field. Also referred to as "quarters".





Crack – Call made by the corner alerting the defender(s) inside that an outside receiver is blocking back towards the football. The corner must replace the defender being cracked.



Create the “W” – Describes how an offensive lineman when pass setting will punch with his hands. Offensive linemen will want to deliver their punch by bringing their thumbs together and this happens by turning the thumbs up which in turn will drop their elbows which makes it easier to punch up through the defender’s numbers.



Cross – This is communication call (“cross – cross – cross”) indicating that a receiver is running a route across the formation.



Cross-Over Step - Is the second step taken by an offensive lineman in all fast or full zone plays. Used to get to the play side jersey number of a defender to cut him off from making plays. Used to stretch a defender.



Cross Your Face - This term describes a defender working to cross the face of an offensive blocker after contact has been made.



Cushion – Relationship between the defensive back and receiver in which the defensive back maintains a three to five-yard vertical depth relationship



Cut Block - This is when the blocker attacks the knees of the defensive lineman.



D



Dead-Ball Foul - A penalty committed by either team before or after the play. If it is after, the result of the play stands and the penalty is assessed from the current position of the ball. Pre-snap penalties on the defense do not require the play to be blown dead unless a defensive player has a clear path to the quarterback. On the offense, some penalties stop the play before it begins, and some do not. A dead ball foul that does not stop play cannot be declined. A frequent dead ball foul is delay of game.



Deep Half – Deep pass zone that extends from sideline to an imaginary line bisecting the field.



Deep Middle – Also referred to as the “deep middle third, in this pass zone (from hash to hash), the defender must be deeper than all receivers.



Deep Outside – Also referred to as the “deep third”, in this pass zone (from hash to sideline), the defender must be deeper than all receivers.



Defensive End - Though the number of defensive ends can change depending on the formation, most basic defenses have two defensive ends on the field. Their name likely derives from the fact that they "bookend" the defensive line. Their main job is to prevent the offense from running the ball to their side and to attempt to sack the quarterback on passing plays. Since their duties require them to cover more ground, defensive ends are typically lighter and faster than defensive tackles. The typical defensive end is a tall, strong player with the ability to hold his own against an offensive tackle and the speed and quickness to get to the quarterback or chase down a running back.



Defensive Tackle - Though the number of defensive tackles can change depending on the formation, most basic defenses have two defensive tackles on the field. Along with defensive ends, defensive tackles are part of a group of players known as the "defensive line." Defensive tackles line up next to each other in the middle of the defense across from the offensive center and guards. Defensive tackles are typically very large players who can hold their ground even when being double-teamed by two offensive linemen. The main job of the defensive tackle is to prevent the offense from running the ball up the middle and to put pressure on the quarterback in passing situations. The typical defensive tackle is a fairly tall, heavy player with great strength who can hold his ground against offensive linemen.



Delay – Communication call that signifies a potential receiver has waited a count or two before releasing into his route.



Deuce Block – A combination alert between a Guard and Tackle.



Deuce Base - Once the combination deuce call has been made it alerts the combination to track a down defender to a second level linebacker, if the deuce feels that they can acquire their blocks without the combo then the alert base can be used and now puts the tackle and guard in a one-on-one block.



Deuce Get Hippo - A combo block between a guard and tackle that requires an L-step with either a vertical push or slow rotating zone play.



Deuce Fast - Combination block between a guard and tackle that requires a fast come around while looking for a second level linebacker. The footwork required for fast zones is a drop step, crossover and rip through technique.



Deuce Slow - Combination block between a guard and tackle. The slow combinations usually apply to plays like ISO, Bounce, and any plays that require either combos or base blocks to rotate slowly away from the point of attack.



Dime Back – This is a defensive personnel package that has six defensive backs in the game.



Disguise – The hiding of a coverage, stunt, blitz, dog, and or pre snap alignment that is designed to confuse blocking schemes, or the quarterback.





Dog – Rush of an inside linebacker or combination of linebackers through a designated gap.



Dominant Position – This is the position that every defender must get to in order to defeat a blocker. The defender is square to the LOS, with their hands on the blocker (thumb up with cloth), hips under the shoulders, and the eyes no higher than the “V of the neck”.



Don't Allow Your Chin Over your Toes - Term used to describe to much weight rolled forward when run blocking, you'll end up on your chin. You will not be able to react to movement by a defender when you have to much weight forward.



Double Team - Combination block by any two adjacent blockers. A double team is accomplished against a down defender with no second level linebacker responsibility.



Double Wing - A formation with two tight ends and two wingbacks in which the snap is tossed by the center between their legs to the quarterback or halfback moderately deep in the backfield.



Down Block - Inside release by offensive lineman.



Down Call - An alert used in pass protection. Whenever a Running Back stays in and blocks in the straight dropback schemes, he will follow the Lucy (Lt.) or Ricky (Rt.) call and double read playside from the inside linebacker to an outside invert. A “Down” alert is used on the side in which the Running back is aligned. Whenever a linebacker on the call side walks up into the LOS, any offensive linemen who has the linebacker walked up on his inside can give a “Down” call which pulls the protection inside and now puts the back blocking the end man on the line of scrimmage.



Downhill Runner – Term for a straight-ahead running power back who hits the hole quickly.



Drag Route – Drag route inside and aiming to run underneath and through the inside LBers claiming no deeper than 12 yards as your come across the field. Lead dragging receiver into coverage, avoid keeping the ball below the receiver’s shoulder pads. The pass may range from a hard throw to a finesse pass.



Drive Man (Outside Blocker) – With any combo you will have a dive man along with a postman. Initial step is with the inside foot by taking a flat lateral step to the inside with your aiming point being the playside number. The aiming point for hand placement is the play side number. If the defenders playside number starts to disappear inside, punch and push the defender inside and look for the second level with patience, so to allow the second level to come to you (don't open any doors).



Drop Kick - A kick in which the ball is dropped and kicked once it hits the ground and before it hits it again; a half-volley kick. A drop kick is one of the types of kick which can score a field goal. Drop kicks are extremely rare due to the pointed nature of the ball.



Drop Step Cross Over Rip Through - “Circle the Wagons” This phrase applies to a full zone scheme when trying to get the ball outside, on a running play. The offensive lineman will drop step according to the shade of the defender. The wider the shade the deeper the drop step. The combo comes around, should be able to show your backside jersey numbers to the sideline in order to pin scrapping LBers.





Duck Walk - A technique that refers to an offensive lineman's foot position with heels turned in and toes slightly turned out. Duck walk is also a drill.



E



Easy, Easy - Term used by the quarterback when changing plays on the line of scrimmage.



E.D. D’s – Everyday drills.



Eligible Receiver - A player who may legally touch a forward pass. On the offense, these are: the ends, backs, and (except in the NFL) one player in position to take a hand-to-hand snap; provided the player's jersey displays a number in the ranges allowed for eligible receivers. All players of the opposing team are eligible receivers, and once the ball is touched by a player of the opposing team (anywhere in American, or beyond the lines of scrimmage in Canadian, football), all players become eligible.



E.M.L.O.S. - Stands for End Man on the Line of Scrimmage.



Encroachment - An illegal action by a defensive player crossing the line of scrimmage and making contact with an opponent before the ball is snapped.





F

False Start - A foul (resulting in a five-yard penalty) in which an offensive player moves before the ball is snapped, potentially drawing defensive players offside.



Fair Catch - In American football, an unhindered catch of an opponent's kick. The player wanting to make a fair catch must signal for a fair catch by waving an arm overhead while the ball is in the air. After that signal, once the ball is possessed, it is dead immediately and opponents will receive a 15-yard penalty for any contact with the receiver.



Fast – When the offense goes into a two minute offense or starts running plays without huddling, also called a fast or hurry up offense. The “M” will look to the sideline for the calls and make them without a huddle. If there is not enough time, we will align in our “Base” Defense.



FBS - The NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, the top level of U.S. college football.



FCS - The NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, the second level of U.S. college football. Distinguished from FBS by reduced scholarship limits and the existence of an official NCAA championship event.





Field – Also referred to as the “wide”, it references the direction that has the most amount of field from the ball to the sideline. This call is used to reference a direction in the “defensive call sequence”.



Flea Flicker – A trick play where the quarterback hands the ball off to the running back straight up the middle, but then the running back stops, and tosses the ball back to the quarterback behind him who then throws the ball deep downfield to a receiver.



Flexbone - A formation involving three running backs where a fullback is lined up behind the quarterback and two slotbacks are lined up behind the line of scrimmage at both ends of the offensive line.





Flow – Backfield flow refers to the direction of the backs. Ball flow refers to the direction of the ball.



Force – Outside in responsibilities on the football, immediate up field pressure from the secondary or linebackers on run plays. Pitch on option.



Fold -Block – Fold blocking schemes are an exchange of assignments between two offensive linemen at or away from the point of attack. The offensive linemen responsible for blocking back from the playside will always go first in this scheme. The lineman blocking back will use an angle drive technique - Drop step with your near foot towards the hip to block his near number. This will place the offensive lineman approximately in the middle of the numbers or through the defenders playside ear. Upon making contact with the "nose" of the helmet, whip your arms and use all the same elements of a base block. The lineman stepping around will use a drop step with his near foot allowing the first man to cross his face. He will then explode up through the hole to the second level and block the linebacker's play side number.



Force - When a defender is assigned to Force, they must make the ball carrier commit wide or inside as soon as possible.



Forward Pass - Pass going downfield in front of the quarterback. Forward Progress the point a player reaches prior to being tackled and where the ball is spotted.



Fullback - The other running back, called the fullback, usually lines up directly in front of or directly next to the tailback (which also puts him near the quarterback). His exact alignment depends on the formation. For example, in certain offenses the fullback lines up right behind the line of scrimmage, an alignment in which the fullback is commonly referred to as the "H-Backs." The fullback is typically the player who lead-blocks for the tailback on running plays. They're usually strong, stocky players who can move defensive players out of the way to give ballcarriers room to run. Occasionally, fullbacks receive a handoff and run the ball themselves. This usually occurs when only a small amount of yardage is needed. They also occasionally go out for a pass. The typical fullback is a tough, powerful player with above average size and a knack for blocking.



Full flow – The backs are going to the same side after snap of the ball.



Funnel - Technique used by corners to force receivers release to a certain direction.





From Low to High - Term used for run blocking. Starts with good low shoulder level, working into the defender and gradually rising into the defender. Use your base for power. Heels in toes out.



Front Door / Back Door - This expression is used to describe possible shades that defenders will play through. If a defender is on the front side of a combination block, he is considered a front door player. If a defender is playing on an inside shade of the outer most blocker, he is considered a back-door player.



Front Seven - The defensive linemen and linebackers. The most common configurations of a front seven are 4-3 (four down linemen, three linebackers) and the 3-4 (three linemen and four linebackers).





Frontside - Refers to the side the ball is being run or thrown too.



Full flow – The backs are going to the same side after snap of the ball.



Funnel – Technique used by corners to force receivers release to a certain direction.



G



"G" Scheme - Blocking scheme that requires the playside guard to pull frontside.



Gain Depth to Gain Vision - Phrase used for the second puller on counters as he looks for his linebacker assignment



Get Hippo (Hip to Hip)- When working combination blocking schemes the two linemen working together should keep their hips together in order to keep defenders from penetrating on the play called.



Get Off - Ability to accelerate off the L.O.S. using proper technique.



Ghost – This tag aligns the call side linebacker in a “70” technique. “Full Ghost” will align both linebackers in “70” techniques. If there is no tight end, then they will “ghost” where the tight end would have aligned.



Guessing – As a defender not playing what you see because you "think" they are going to do something else.





H



Half Man Advantage - Term used to explain proper positioning in pass pro. Always work from an inside out position on the defender take the 1/2-man advantage, make the defender pass rush you from the outside not from the inside. Used in drop back protection.



Hail Mary - A long pass play, thrown towards a group of receivers near or in the end zone in hope of a touchdown. Used by a team as a last resort as time is running out in either of two halves (usually by a team trailing in the second half). The term was first used during Roger Staubach's comeback victory in which he threw such a pass to Drew Pearson to defeat the Minnesota Vikings in a divisional round playoff game in 1975. The term refers to the Catholic prayer.





Hammer - Hard corner force with safety over the top fast into the boundary.



Hang – Corner settling in flat and squatting, usually used in cover two, will drop, or sag out of the “blue area” and react to the short throw.



Hard - Alignment and technique used in zone coverage, where the corner back is aligned tight on L.O.S.



Hard Count - A strategy commonly used by offenses to convert on fourth down and less than five yards to go. An offense will take the full time on the play clock with the quarterback utilizing an irregular, accented (thus, the term "hard") cadence for the snap count in the hope that the defense will jump offside, giving the offense the five yards needed to convert the first down. However, if the defense does not go offside, the offense will take a five-yard penalty for delay of game or a timeout.



Head and Neck - The head and neck should be an extension of the shoulders, back, and tail. You want the neck to be in a semi-bowed position but not in a "bulled - neck" position that forces the tail to drop.



Heels In, Toes Out - Focus your energy on the inside of your feet, this gives you more push power.



Hidden Yardage - Yards based on the difference in starting field position between the teams and penalty yardage. These yards do not show up in the statistics as yards gained by an offense, hence, hidden. This sometimes explains how a team with a significant advantage in yards gained loses the game since starting possessions deeper in a team's own territory on a regular basis means more yards need to be gained in order to score points and that teams that tend to commit many penalties will force the offense to gain more yards to score points or give the opposing offense free yards allowing them to score points with fewer yards needed.



Hip Pocket - Term that describes a defender following a pulling offensive lineman.



Hit on the Rise - Make contact by rolling the hips through the defender. Hit on the rise, head-up, bull the neck with shoulders opposite the punch.



Hit Technique – This is the 3-point punch technique used by the defensive linemen on every snap, unless “jet” is alerted. This technique creates a dominant lean, using a 3-point punch to stay square to the LOS, and only coming off when they see ball. The 3-point punch (dominant lean) puts the defensive linemen in a Dominant Position that allows them to defeat the blocker. The 3-point punch (dominant lean) refers to (1) hand placement, (2) hips, and (3) eyes to the “V of the neck”.



Hitch Route - The following information will give you a description and details on how the quarterback with throw the Hitch. Drill at back of breast plate of receiver 5 yards deep when he stops, plants and turns inside with eyes to the QB.



Hot Read - When a quarterback sees a blitz coming and quickly passes to a receiver running a short route. This involves the quarterback adjusting their target and the "hot receiver" adjusting their route (for instance, breaking off a deeper route in favor of a slant or hitch). If a quarterback at the line of scrimmage reads the defense and identifies a blitz coming, they may call an audible to designate a receiver as a hot read or hot receiver.



Horse Collar – When a defensive player brings down a ball carrier by grabbing onto the back of the ball carrier’s collar and shoulder pads.



Hurry-up – Term used to explain an offense snapping plays in a fast tempo.



Hurry-up Offense - An offensive strategy designed to gain yardage while running as little time off the clock as possible. Often involves making plays without a huddle. This technique can also be used to keep the defensive team off-balance.



Hybrid - Anything having two or more components that produce the same or similar

results, such as a set of offensive plays from several different offensive approaches

is considered a Hybrid...



I



I Back Formation - The I formation is ideally suited to a team with a great running back because this lineup allows him to have complete vision of his blockers and the defensive players’ first reaction to the run. Here’s what you’ll see:

• The tailback (TB) — the runner who will carry the ball — can place himself as deep as 7 yards from the line of scrimmage.

• If the blocking holds up, the runner can be in full stride when he nears the line of scrimmage.

• Before the play begins, you’ll see why this formation is called the I: the quarterback (QB), fullback (FB), and tailback form an I, with the fullback between the quarterback and tailback.



In Call – Call (“in-in-in-in-in”) made by a defender to indicate that his receiver has cut to the inside.



Influence - Action used by an offensive to encourage a defender to react to his block or movement.



Indirect Snap - A play in which the ball is handed to the quarterback rather than thrown directly to the ball carrier by the center as in a direct snap play. So named because the quarterback acts as an intermediary in relaying the ball to the ball carrier. Also used to refer to formations that use such a snap, as most modern formations do. Indirect snap formations exploded in popularity after World War II



Inside Veer - Inside Veer is an option that allows the quarterback to read the inside jersey number of a of an unblocked five technique and can be run from either an openside or tight side position.



Intentional Grounding - A type of illegal forward pass; thrown without an intended receiver and no chance of completion to any offensive player, for the sole purpose of conserving time or avoiding loss of yardage. This foul cost the offense a loss of down and 10 yards. If it occurs 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage, then the 10 yards is taken from the spot of the foul. If the foul is committed in the end zone the penalty is a safety. Intentional grounding is not called in the case of a spike after a hand to hand snap or if under NFL or NCAA rules, the quarterback was outside the tackle box, (the area between each tackle) at the time of the pass, provided that the ball travels at least to the line of scrimmage. The tackle box is also known as the "pocket".



Inverts – term used for outside Linebackers.



J



"J" Step - "J" Step is a drop step used by the fullback and Tailback anytime a drop step is used. Aiming point off the "J" Step is the outside hip of the guard. The Fullback uses a "J" Step on belly schemes that starts with the digit three.



Jam – Defender squats at their alignment depth and collision a receiver (re-routes) or when a defensive back trying to hold up a receiver on the L.O.S.



Jet Technique – This is used in a passing situation. It is a technique that lets the defensive linemen loose, giving them the freedom to go get the quarterback. A “jet” call gives the defensive linemen the freedom to use their best move to get to the quarterback, without worrying about the run.



Jumbo - An offensive package which includes two tight ends, a full back and a half back. Similar to heavy jumbo, in which either the half back or the fullback is replaced by another tight end. In a goal line formation, Miami package, often one or more of the tight ends is actually a linebacker or an offensive lineman. In the NFL, such a player must report in as an eligible receiver because a lineman or linebacker would not generally wear an eligible number.





K



Key – The reading of a focal point. What you concentrate on for your initial reaction on the snap of the ball.



Kick Step or Kick Slide - Pass blocking term. Short step with your back foot. The depth of the kick is determined by the width of the defender. When you kick slide always replace the step with the trail foot. Never get over extended. The second step is a slide step, don't pick it up off the ground. Maintain a good base.



Kicker (K) – The kicker is responsible for kickoffs and field goals. They are strong-legged players who can kick accurately from a tee on kickoffs and from a holder on field goals.





L



Landmarks - On each running play, an offensive line are given landmarks which is an aiming point for the type of play called this dictates their initial step and punch. The landmark or aiming point is the near ear on a down defender for the inside running game and the outside jersey number and hip for the outside running game in order to give them the leverage to force the defender away from the point of attack.



Lateral - A backward pass. Football players may lateral the football as many times per play as they want. If a lateral is dropped, the ball is still live (like a fumble) and any player may recover it.



Leg Whip - An illegal block or tackle using the legs to trip the opponent.



Level One Defenders - Refers to the defensive down linemen or those defenders aligned on the line of scrimmage.



Level Two Defenders - Refers to the second level defenders located behind defensive front on the line of scrimmage (linebackers, inverts)



Leverage – This is when a defender maintains an outside or inside position on an offensive player; i.e., defender’s inside shoulder to offensive players outside shoulder.



Linebacker (LB) – As the name implies, the Linebackers back the defensive line. Depending on the defensive alignment, there are usually three or four on the field. Outside linebackers (OLB) stand to the sides of the DEs and Inside linebackers (ILB) or middle linebackers (MLB) stand behind the DTs. LBs are usually responsible for shadowing RBs, TEs and sometimes WRs; rushing the passer; and tackling ball carriers. Those who are linebackers are likely strong and fast.



LMP – This is the “Last Man in Pursuit”. The backside corner will only cross the far hash to stop a touchdown. The corner will open hips, step to middle of goal post and adjust angle of pursuit in accordance to ball carrier.



Lock – This is an alert to that tells a linebacker to stay with their alignment and man, and the secondary will adjust and cover any motion to them by a running back.



Load, Lead, and Speed Options - Are double options designed to take advantage of defenses reducing their fronts in order to defend the inside running game, goal line and short yardage situations.



Long Call - An alert used in the trapping game that tells the puller the location of the down defender being trapped. The black alert is made by any offensive lineman playside. The black alert is made to signal to the puller that he will be trapping a 5 technique.



Long Pull - The pulling of an offensive lineman that crosses the butt of the center.



L.O.S. - Line of scrimmage



Look up Thru the Window -The window is the positioning of the hands in pass pro. Bring the two thumbs together forming creating the “W”. When punching a defender on pass rush look up thru the window, this will help in keeping the butt

down.



Long Snapper (LS) – The long snapper begins plays for the kicker and the punter. The long snapper is responsible for “snapping” the ball back to the punter for a punt or a field goal attempt. The long snapper’s role is different from the center role, as he needs to throw the football a longer distance. After snapping the football, the long snapper serves like an offensive lineman, preventing the other team from blocking a field goal or punt.



M







Maintain the Depth of The Pocket - The depth of the straight dropback protection schemes put your center and guards more aggressive with their pass set in order to assist with the depth between the defender and the quarterback.



Match Up Zone - A matchup zone includes a combination of pattern recognition and coverage techniques. The defenders must first identify the offensive personnel and formation, then at the snap of the ball makes a run/read.



Max Protect - A modification used on pass plays (usually combined with a shotgun formation) which keeps the tight end, and both backs in behind the line of scrimmage to pass protect rather than run a pass route. This is used in obvious blitzing situations to give the quarterback "maximum protection" in the pocket. Although good for holding off a blitz, it leaves the quarterback with only two receivers to throw to (and therefore only two players for the secondary to defend).





Mike - term used for Middle Linebacker.



N



Nickel Back – This is a defensive personnel package that puts a fifth defensive back in the game. An extra, or fifth, defensive back. Named after the five-cent coin. Popularized by the Miami Dolphins in the 1970s, now common. Used in situations where a forward pass is expected.



No-Huddle Offense - Usually employed as part of a hurry-up offense, but it is not necessarily an attempt to snap the ball (begin the play) quicker. Rather, the lack of huddle allows the offense to threaten to snap the ball quickly, denying the defending team time to substitute players and communicate effectively between coaches and players. When operating in the no-huddle, the offense typically lines up in a predetermined formation at the line of scrimmage, possibly with a predetermined play in mind. The quarterback may then call an audible, altering the play call based on a perceived weakness in the defense's response. Some teams use this methodology to react to the defense and will remain at this pre-snap state for a considerable time as the clock runs down, providing a stream of actual and counterfeit play changes, this approach is called a Hurry-up and wait offense.



Nose - The nose (“N”) will align head-up on the center in 0-technqiue.



Nub – This identifies the side of an offensive formation with a tight end, but no receiver outside of them. In base, this is an automatic “Load” call.



O



Offsides - In gridiron football, offside is a foul in which a player is on the wrong side of the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. This foul occurs simultaneously with the snap. Unlike offensive players, defensive players are not compelled to come to a set position before the snap.



Offensive Tackles - A standard football offense has two tackles on the offensive line. One lines up to the left of the left guard (and is known as the "left tackle"), and the other lines up to the right of the right guard (and is known as the "right tackle"). Tackles are typically the largest players on the field. Their primary job is to block defensive players. They are usually a tad quicker and stronger than the other offensive linemen since they often have to block defensive players in space with little or no help. Like the center, tackles need to be intelligent so they can analyze what the defense is doing and make the proper adjustments. The typical tackle is a large player who is highly skilled at blocking.



Open – The side away from the strength call; typically, away from the TE.



Openside - Side of the offense that does not have a Tight End next to an offensive tackle.



Option on Me - The pairing of best option gives you the ability to limit the number of options the quarterback can option into. This method is best used when you as the coach only want certain options alerted on the line of scrimmage.



Overhang – Term used for Outside Linebackers.



P



Pancake - A "pancake block"; sometimes shortened to "cake"; is a particularly effective block where the player being blocked is pushed onto the ground by a blocker, metaphorically "flattening" the opposing defender into a "pancake". This is usually performed by an offensive lineman, tight end, or fullback, and is considered an ideal block, designed to eliminate the defender from the play.



Part the Sea - Descriptive term used to describe the blocking scheme for the ISO. All blocks at the point of attack for the ISO play should counter rotate away using the near ear rule.



Pass Interference - Any act by a player more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders an eligible player’s opportunity to catch the ball. Pass interference can only occur when a forward pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.



Peel-Back Block - An action where an offensive player blocks a defender who is moving back toward the direction of their own end zone; they are illegal below the waist and from either the back or the side.



Pick – Sometimes referred to as a rub or mesh, it is an action by a receiver to screen (pick) a defensive back or linebacker to take him out of coverage.



Pick-Six – When a defensive player returns an interception for a touchdown.



Pick'in Grass (Show Me the Grass) - Technique used by offensive linemen to keep from dragging their backside shoulder on inside releases (veer, Midline)



Piggyback - Term used to describe the position on combination blocks the trail blocker (uncovered lineman) works for in conjunction the lead blocker. The trail lineman works to an outside position up and behind the lead blocker.



Pitch Man – Running back or receiver who receives the football from the quarterback on any type of option or outside run. The force defender typically has pitch.



Playside - The side of the offensive formation that the ball is being run or passed.



P.O.A. – Point of attack.



Pocket – The area on the offensive side of the line of scrimmage where the quarterback stands. This area is where linemen try to stop defensive players from reaching the QB on passing plays.



Point of Aim (P.O.A.) - Must know where the ball is going, use the proper steps and know where you strike point is. Using the proper P.O.A. will help eliminate the defender from crossing your face.



POSTMAN (Inside Blocker) - You are responsible for stopping penetration and for preventing the defender from "splitting" the initial double team. Step with the near foot using a flat lateral step to insure all the good elements of a base block. Aiming point for both hand and foot placement is the inside number of the defender.



Post Pattern - A passing route in which the receiver sprints eight to ten yards, fakes a look back at the quarterback, then sprints deep at an angle toward the middle of the field; the opposite pattern is the flag route.



Pro Set - In the pro set there are two running backs, a tailback and a fullback. They are split, each behind and on a different side of the quarterback. The quarterback starts the play under center.



Proper Point of Aim - Must understand the play and where it is going. Always take the proper step in the direction you are going (no false steps).



Prowl – Pre-snap movements designed to confuse the offense, blocking schemes and/or the quarterback.



PSR – Pre Snap Read.



Pull and Lead Technique - This technique will be used when pulling to block a linebacker or pulling to block support. Use the proper pull technique getting width and some depth. Depth is especially important for the backside tackle when pulling to run the COUNTER. The trail blocker must get depth in order to spy and read the location of the LBer in order to block of the linebacker.

Pull and Trap Technique - Use the proper method to pull and take an inside-out approach. This is called a TRAPPER'S ARC. Immediately focus your eyes on the defender to be trapped and stay low as you explode towards your target area. Explode up and through the man on contact by whipping your arms and moving your feet like pistons. Drive the defender out of the hole. Don't try and turn him or work your "butt" into the hole until you have established movement, and this is accomplished by getting your base big on contact. Most defenders are taught to play underneath any type of kick-out block, so by allowing your base to get big on contact will eliminate any defender the opportunity to play underneath. Use all the good elements of a base block - especially the short power steps, helmet adjust.



Punch and Run - Explains pad control. Once pad control has been established, move your feet maintaining a great base. Finish the block, run the defender.



Punch up Thru the Window - Punch up thru the window from low to high up and thru the top of the defender’s numbers.



Push the Width of The Pocket - Your tackles in a dropback scheme are responsible for the width of the pocket by forcing their defender outside, this is where they can give some ground in order to force the defender upfield and outside.



Pursuit – The defense must stay square to the LOS until they see ball. Once a defender sees the ball, they must run at 100% to make the play. They must take an angle to cut off the ball carrier.



Punter (P) – The punter is responsible for kicking the ball away if the offense fails to get a first down. They are strong-legged players who can accurately kick a ball by dropping it from their outstretched hands.



Q



Quick Draw - Term used to describe quick placement of the hands to the chest of the defender. It's the person who can get his hands on the other the fastest that wins.



Quick Out - Throw directly off hip of receiver when he plants and cuts outside at 6 yards. Lead receiver only slightly or throw through the outside arm pit of the receiver when he breaks.



R



Reach Block - Offensive lineman working to get his helmet to the outside of the defender.



Red Zone – An unofficial area that spans from the 20-yard line to the goal line of the defensive team. A defense should consider it a moral victory if they hold an offense to a field goal in this area.



Return Specialists – There are two types of return specialists: Kick Returner (KR) and Punt Returner (PR). These are the players the punter and kicker are kicking to on punts and kickoffs



Rip Technique – an action by a defensive player that is staying square to the blocker until they see ball. They will then rip off to make the play; (1) grab the back pocket, (2) rub the body, and (3) kiss the bicep.



R.O.M. - Reading on the Move ("ROM"), but this should be based upon a progression. The receiver progression is based upon the pre-snap read.



Rover – Term used for an Outside Linebacker and normally is an extra deep Safety in cover 2 & 4.



Run and Shoot - An offensive philosophy in football designed to force the defense to show its hand prior to the snap of the ball by splitting up receivers and sending them in motion. Receivers run patterns based on the play of the defenders, rather than a predetermined plan. Also known as "run and gun".



Run Through - A linebacker stunting. Must prevent linebackers from running through combination blocks. Can prevent run throughs by keeping the head up.



S



Safety - A player position on defense. A method of scoring (worth two points) by downing an opposing ball carrier in his own end zone, forcing the opposing ball carrier out of his own end zone and out of bounds, or forcing the offensive team to fumble the ball so that it exits the end zone. A safety is also awarded if the offensive team commits a foul within its own end zone. After a safety, the team that was scored upon must kick the ball to the scoring team from its own 20-yard line. In the unusual event of a safety occurring during a try for an extra point or two points after a touchdown, this scores only one point and is followed by a kickoff as after any other try. (In some codes, the rules allow the defense in addition to the offense to score in this fashion.)



Safety Valve - A receiver whose job it is to get open for a short pass in case all other receivers are covered.



Sam – Term used for a Strong Linebacker



screen pass - A short forward pass to a receiver who has blockers in front. The receiver in this play is usually a running back, although wide receiver and tight end screens are also used. Although they are both called screen passes, the wide receiver screen and the running back screen are used for very different reasons. In the case of a running back screen, the play is designed to allow the pass rushers by the offensive linemen, leaving the defender out of position to make a play. The play is usually employed to defuse the pass rush in the case of a running back screen. The wide receiver screen is a much faster developing play, designed to catch the defense off guard



Score – A call made to alert the defense that an interception is about to be made. The interceptor should try to work to the nearest sideline, and the defenders should work back toward the interceptor protecting the sideline; i.e., creating a pick line.



Screen Pass - A short forward pass to a receiver who has blockers in front. The receiver in this play is usually a running back, although wide receiver and tight end screens are also used. Although they are both called screen passes, the wide receiver screen and the running back screen are used for very different reasons. In the case of a running back screen, the play is designed to allow the pass rushers by the offensive linemen, leaving the defender out of position to make a play. The play is usually employed to defuse the pass rush in the case of a running back screen. The wide receiver screen is a much faster developing play, designed to catch the defense off guard



Secondary Contain - Pertains to the linebacker coming out of his coverage responsibility, to contain the QB when primary containment breaks down.



See Your Backers - Any time to linemen work together in a combination scheme they will always want to track their linebacker according to type of play called. By looking for your backer you prevent run throughs.



Settle – When a secondary defender stops gaining depth and/or width in an area and stays (“squats”) in that area, with the eyes focused on the quarterback reading the shoulders. The defender must be read to “break” on a thrown ball.



Shield Punt - When seven players line up on the line of scrimmage and immediately start to cover the punt while three offensive players stay to guard the punter



Short – Also referred to as the “boundary”, it references the direction that has the least amount of field from the ball to the sideline. This call is used to reference directions in the “defensive call sequence”.



Short Pull - Guard drop stepping and pulling outside and not crossing the center.



Short Steps – Never allow yourself to over stride, must keep your feet in the ground where you have the most power.



Shotgun offense - The shotgun offense is often used on passing downs. This formation gives the quarterback (QB) more time to visualize the defense, particularly the secondary’s alignment. Here’s what you’ll see:



Shoulder Width Apart - Describes the placement of a player's feet in any given stance. Football player's feet should always be positioned shoulder width apart, never compromise your base, and never let your feet come together.



Shoulders Parallel - In pass protection never allow a pass rusher to get an offensive lineman’s shoulders out of parallel. The Defender is trying to make you turn your hips.



Shoulders Parallel - In pass protection never allow a pass rusher to get his shoulder out of parallel to the blocker. The Defender is trying to make you turn your hips.



Show Me That It's OK - Turn the thumbs up sets the elbows down in pass pro.



Show Your Numbers - Term used for pass blocking. To get into the correct pass blocking position, expose the numbers on your chest.



Sift Block - Is an inside chip off to a second level defender by an offensive lineman. Example would be a backside tackle chipping through the inside shoulder of a defensive end to an outside invert. A sift block slows the charge of the down defender and influences his movement.



Single Back - In the single back formation, also called the ace formation, there is one running back in the backfield and the quarterback lines up under center. This allows for four wide receivers or three wide receivers plus a tight end. Teams can pass or run equally well from this formation.



Sit Down in The Chair - Phrase used to set the hips underneath you when pass blocking.



Skip Pull Technique - With skip pull technique, the first step is short backwards step with their outside foot keeping their shoulder square to the L.O.S. ad must stay low don't pop up. If pulling right first step is short backwards step with your outside foot followed by your playside foot (inside foot) gaining depth and width towards the pulling side (this is known as a gather step). For the second step, the lineman will step with his inside foot, gaining depth and width towards the pulling side, this is called the "gather" step. For the third step, the lineman will slide his outside towards his inside foot thus forming the "Skip". The fourth step goes to finish.



Slanter - Defensive lineman slanting inside or outside. On combination or zone blocks the inside slanter is picked up by the trail blocker. It is important to get the head between the slanter and the P.O.A.



Slant Route – Slant can come from a 1-step or 3-step approach. Throw between bottom of jersey numbers and belt buckle of the receiver. Should lead receiver a foot in front of numbers.

Smashmouth Offense - An offensive strategy that relies on a strong running game, where most of the offensive plays are handoffs to the fullback or the tailback. It is a more traditional style of offense that often results in a higher time of possession by running the ball heavily. Even though the offense is run-oriented, passing opportunities can develop as defenses play close to the line of scrimmage.



Snap Count - In order to control the L.O.S., it is extremely important that you execute the starting count. The single greatest advantage that the offensive line has over the defense is that you know when the ball will be snapped and where the play is going.



Soft - An alert made by the backside tackle in straight drop-back protection schemes (normally a backside tackle). Soft is a call made to alert the uncovered lineman who has double read responsibility that he can stay inside on the inside linebacker because the outside invert is off the LOS and shows no signs of coming off the back edge.



Split-back formation - Teams use the split-back formation because it’s difficult for the defense to gauge whether the offense is running or passing. Here’s what you’ll see, two backs aligned behind the two guards about 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage. The backfield is balanced (that is, it’s not aligned toward one side or the other). This makes it more difficult for the defense to anticipate what the play will be.



Split Flow – The backs divide (go in different directions) on snap of the football, typically opposite directions. The linebackers and outside inverts must be aware of boot or counter with “split flow”.



Spread Offense - An offensive scheme that is used at every level of American and Canadian football, including professional (NFL, CFL), college, (NCAA, NAIA, U Sports), and high school programs across the U.S. and Canada. Spread offenses typically place the quarterback in the shotgun formation, and "spread" the defense horizontally using three-, four-, and even five-receiver sets. Many spread offenses utilize the read option running play to put pressure on both sides of the defense. Spread offenses also leverage vertical (down field) passing routes to spread the defense vertically, thereby opening up multiple vertical seams for both the running and passing game.



Squib Kick – A kicked ball with a low flight path. A squib kick is used to limit the return team’s ability to advance the football with a quality return.



Stay – A call made to indicate that we will stay in the coverage called.



Step Hinge – Is a term used to explain the technique to step inside secure inside gap no linebacker shows hinge back on the first defender backside. Also, term used when stepping over on the sprint out passing plays. Whenever on the sprint out game that an offensive lineman steps playside and comes uncovered he then hinges backside for any potential blocker off the backside.



Step on Toes - Concept of coming under control (sink your butt, widen your base) once you close on a defender such as a defensive back or linebacker in the open field.



Stiff Arm – A move by an offensive player in which they fully extend the arm they are not using to carry the ball and use it to fend off a defender.



Stimulus Response – A system of “stimulus response” can be used to help reinforce learning and assignment understanding. The technique, read key, and reaction being taught should be a stimulus that triggers a response. The stimulus response is used as a descriptive term by the coach that triggers an alert word from the player; i.e., coach calls out an offensive player’s action, the defensive player should give the appropriate response. It is the player’s response that should trigger the appropriate technique to defeat his opponent. Stimulus response allows you to tell them what they need to do, not what they are doing wrong.



Stomp the Arches - (Inside of Foot): A drill that teaches our offensive line to drive and push off their inside arches. By pushing on the inside arch, you get more of your foot in the ground thus, producing more push on your defender.



Stomp the Arches - Term used to explain the push off the inside of blockers feet, heels in toes out, push should come from the inside of the feet.



Strength Call – This call is made to the tight end’s side, however if there is no TE, then it is the multiple receiver side, or two the field versus a balanced set.



Strong Safety - The strong safety typically lines up toward the middle of the defensive backfield, either even with the free safety or several yards closer to the line of scrimmage. The strong safety is usually a bit bigger and stronger than the free safety, because he plays a larger role in stopping the run. The strong safety often covers the tight end or extra receiver, depending on the formation. The typical strong safety is an average-sized tough, athletic player who is adept at pass coverage and tackling.



Strong Side - The side of the field (left or right) that has the most players, but depends on the formations of the teams. When a team uses one tight end, the strong side is the side of the field where the tight end lines up. If the offensive package uses no tight end, or more than one tight end, the strong side is the side of the field with the most offensive players on or just behind the line of scrimmage, assuming a balanced line. If the offense uses an unbalanced line, the strong side is the side with the most linemen.



Stunts – Usually pertains to the defensive line and linebackers’ movements to stop the run game or changing gap or pass rush lanes.



Support – Describes angle of pursuit a player takes when he is a secondary pursuit man may be inside or outside.



Stretch Zone - Used with all Stretch plays / Offensive linemen tracking next number over, drop step stay on track.



Stretched - When the defensive lineman reacts in the direction the lead blocker is tracking, the lead blocker will be stretched wider. It is OK to be stretched if the blocker stays square and keeps working the defender off the L.O.S. On outside zone plays it is vitally important that the blocker doesn't get flattened. If this happens, the defender will get penetration and escape to the outside into the ball carrier. The blocker must strive to stay square, maintain contact and work the defender off the L.O.S. By doing so, the ball carrier will have room to threaten the outside and read the seams



T



Take It Back Scheme – Taking blocking scheme away from the point of attack using your near ear rule. The “Take it back” scheme leaves the frontside E.M.L.O.S. alone and the offensive line will use their near ear rule and take their push away from the E.M.L.O.S



Tailback - The running back position includes the tailback (or halfback) and fullback. The tailback usually lines up either directly behind or right next to the quarterback. His exact alignment depends on the formation. Tailbacks are typically the players who receive the handoff from the quarterback and run forward to try to gain yardage. Tailbacks are typically shorter, smaller players who are light on their feet and can maneuver through tight holes. Tailbacks are sometimes used as receivers out of the backfield. The typical tailback is a fast, agile player with good vision and the ability to break tackles and carry the ball effectively.



Third Hand - Position of the football as the quarterback receives the ball from center. Quarterback will always bring the ball up through his third hand. The location of the third hand is the belly button of the quarterback.



Three-and-Out – When an offense fails to get a first down using their first three downs and must punt on fourth down.



Three Point Stance Advantages - The three point stance provides less of a chance an offensive lineman to “false step” once the ball is snapped as weight displacement is almost always going to be the same out of a 3-point stance and affords better pre-snap loading of hip, knee and ankle angles in order to explode and move a defender more easily than a 2-point stance.

Tight End - The tight end is essentially a combination of an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. He's typically bigger and stronger than a wide receiver yet smaller and faster than an offensive lineman. While tight ends can line up virtually anywhere on the field, they are most often aligned directly next to the left or right tackle. Although it's common for one tight end to be on the field, it's becoming increasingly popular to have two tight ends on the field at the same time. The typical tight end is a tall player who's both a skilled pass-catcher and a serviceable blocker.

Touchback – When the ball is downed by the returner behind their own goal line or the ball is kicked through the end zone. The ball is then placed at the 20-yard line for play to resume.

Track Your Backers - Adjacent blockers staying on combo while tracking their flowing LBer.



Trap - Blocking scheme that pulls the backside guard or tackle across the center.

The trap block is designed to trap the first defender on or past the Guard.



Trey Block – A combination block between a Tackle and Tight End.



Trey Base - Trey base can be alerted by either the tackle or tight end if they feel they can handle their combination block by themselves. Example would be when a linebacker walks up on the LOS and the tackle alerts a base call that puts him one-on-one with the linebacker and the defensive end one-on-one with the defensive end.



Trey Get Hippo - Whenever a tackle and tight end work with each other on vertical pushes or slow rotating zone schemes they should incorporate the L-step getting hip to hip while tracking a down defender to a second level linebacker.



Trey Fast - Combination used by the tight end and tackle on plays that go outside on either toss schemes or stretch zone plays. Trey fast requires the combo between the tackle and tight end to rotate fast because of the flow of the linebackers scrapping to defender the fast-outside action of the running back.



Trey Slow - Combination scheme used by the tackle and tight end that requires them to track a down defender to a backside linebacker. They track the second level defender by rotating the Hippo slowly.



Trips – 3 receivers aligned to an openside of the offense.



Tuff - An alert used by a backside tackle to tell the uncovered lineman that has a double read responsibility that a possible outside invert is up on the line of scrimmage and may possibly come hard off the back edge. Tuff tells the uncovered lineman to double read his linebacker to outside invert faster.



U



Uncovered - Term used to describe an uncovered lineman. In this situation no down defender over the top of him.



Use Your Eyes - The best tools an offensive lineman has are his eyes. What

you see tells your brain what to do. If your head is down, nothing goes into your brain. Eyes up, see what you strike.



W



Wedge - A blocking scheme that requires the offensive linemen to block down and inside especially with the quarterback sneak.



White - An alert used in trapping plays to tell the puller the location of the first defender past the center. White means short pull, the defender being trapped is either a 2 or 3 technique

Will – Term used for weak side linebacker.

Wishbone - The wishbone is a running formation. In the wishbone there are three running backs, two halfbacks and a fullback. There can be two tight ends as well, with no wide receivers. This may tell the defense you are running the ball, but it also allows for a lot of blockers.



T



Track Your Backers - Whenever working with a combo we always ask our linemen to track their backer to help prevent Linebacker run throughs.



Trail – The responsibility of chasing the football from the backside looking for boot, reverses, and run away.



Trap - Black (Long Trap): Black is an alert made by the offensive line to alert the location of the defender to be trapped. A Black alert traps any defender on or past the offensive tackle.



Twist Technique - A twisting style game is when one defensive lineman crosses behind another. The technique used is for the first defensive lineman to engage the offensive blocker, and the other defensive linemen will cut behind the first defensive linemen



U



Unbalanced – When the offensive formation puts four linemen on one side of the center. We will treat this as a double tight end look and move the defensive line one man over to the unbalanced side.



Use Your Eyes - The best tools an offensive lineman has are his eyes. What

you see tells your brain what to do. If your head is down, nothing goes into your brain. Eyes up, see what you strike.



V



Veer Release - An inside release by an Offensive Tackle.



W



Wall Off – When a linebacker hits or re-routes a receiver when running a crossing pattern.



Walk – Linebacker alignment midway between a receiver and the last man on the LOS.



West Coast offense - An offensive philosophy that uses short, high-percentage passes as the core of a ball-control offense. It was invented by the Cincinnati Bengals under coach Paul Brown and assistant coach Bill Walsh in the early/mid-1970s. It is now widely used in the NFL but originally made popular by Walsh as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. The original West Coast offense may have been a term used by Don Coryell, as a Sports Illustrated article confused Coryell's title with the offense being used by Walsh, thus possibly coining the term. (Coryell's offense was known instead as air Coryell through the 1980s.) The basis of Walsh's offense is to use short routes for receivers, delivering the ball on time and accurately and using short passes to replace runs. It relies heavily on yardage from running after the catch, using many eligible receivers on plays to maximize quarterback options, and spreading the ball to many targets to keep the defense confused.



What’s for Dinner - Goose or kill (1st sound), Pizza (on one), Tuna (on two), Steak (on three): What’s for dinner is a term that can be used by any offensive player for the snap count to be repeated.



Wide – Also referred to as the “field”, it references the direction that has the most amount of field from the ball to the sideline. This call is used to reference a direction in the “defensive call sequence”.



Wildcat Formation - The wildcat formation became popular a few years back with the Miami Dolphins. In this formation a running back lines up in the quarterback position and runs the football. Although this formation is pretty much limited to running plays, there is an extra blocker for the runner as the quarterback is not in the backfield.



Wishbone – Offensive formation with three running backs. A fullback lines up directly behind the quarterback and two halfbacks line up one yard behind and one yard to either side of the fullback. (The four members of the backfield make a shape resembling a wishbone.) The most common wishbone play is the triple option, in which, depending on what the defense does, the quarterback can hand the ball to the fullback, pitch the ball to the halfback, or keep it himself. Texas assistant coach Emory Bellard invented the wishbone in 1968, and it quickly spread throughout college football, with Oklahoma and Alabama having the most success among the teams that followed Texas’s lead. Although the wishbone allowed teams to run successfully, it also made passing difficult, and so the wishbone never caught on in the NFL and is now rarely used at any level.



Y



YAC

Yards after catch – the amount of yardage gained after initial catch. A quarterback's length of pass is the distance from where the line of scrimmage is, to where the receiver caught the ball. YAC is the distance the ball carrier ran after the initial catch.



Yards after contact – the amount of yardage gained by an offensive player after the first defensive player makes contact



You / Me – This is an alert call used in conjunction with the “chase and collapse technique”. This is used when defenders are changing their base responsibilities. The “me-me” alert is called by the defender has collapse responsibilities, whereas the defender with the chase responsibilities signals “you-you”.



Z



Zone – This refers to areas of the field than defenders cover.



Zone Blitz - The technique is for the defensive lineman to engage to the blocker, distracting them, while a second level defender blitzes past them. Zone Blitz

A defensive package combining a blitz with zone-pass coverage. Allows the defense to choose the blitzer after the offense shows formation and pass-coverage requirements and features unpredictable blitzes from different linebackers and defensive backs. Invented by coach Dick LeBeau.



Man Blocking and Rules for Gap, Down, Backer



Installing man rule blocking schemes have been around for many years and widely used due to the relatively easy way to teach this type of blocking scheme. The Gap, Down, Backer approach is simply on your inside release if anyone crosses your face block him. Anytime we pull our guards it can create a single down block.



Gap, Down, Backer pertains to a blocking scheme using a man rule scheme by the offensive line when created when pulling guards and tackles. The meaning of Gap, Down, Backer simple means to block the first defender to your inside whether he is aligned in a gap, aligned head-up on next lineman inside or no lineman aligned in either of the previous rules of gap, down thus, taking your path inside to the linebacker (Gap, Down, Backer).



Gap: Indicates a down defender aligned in the gap on your inside and between to adjacent offensive lineman.



Down: Means that there is no defender aligned inside in the gap but aligned on the next offensive lineman inside.



Backer: On the inside release you have no gap or head-up defender inside, but you have a Linebacker located at the second level.



What gap down backer means on your inside release is simply you have the first defender inside whether he is aligned in the gap, head-up on the next offensive lineman inside or with no one inside but a linebacker at the second level.

Creating angles for man rule blocking can be facilitated by backing your offensive linemen back off the ball. For teams that like to create greater blocking angles and to assist in pulling a general rule like the picture below demonstrates is to have your linemen as an alignment landmark would be to put their helmet on the hip of the center.

Installing man rule blocking schemes have been around for many years and widely used due, to the relatively easy way to teach this type of blocking scheme. The Gap, Down, Backer approach is simply on your inside release if anyone crosses your face block him.



What gap down backer means on your inside release is simply you have the first defender inside whether he is aligned in the gap, head-up on the next offensive lineman inside or with no one inside but a linebacker at the second level?

Contact: First contact must be with a proper position step and punch, followed by keeping the feet alive and driving through and up through the defender. Upon making contact, you will want the blocker to drive the palms of his hands up into the defender's chest with a lifting type action. Once the punch has been delivered the offensive line must be able to turn their thumbs up which drops the elbows and facilitates the drive and finish. By turning the thumbs up after the punch this will aid the blocker in controlling the defenders shoulder pads, peck plates and getting the roll-of-the-hips into the block and to control the defender. It is important that the power producing angles remain in the legs and that the shoulders remain higher than the hips. The blocker must now arch his back and get his feet underneath him.



Combination Blocks Explained



Combination blocks can be between any two offensive linemen responsible for blocking two defenders in a specific area. All combo blocks start as a double team on level one - as movement begins either the POST MAN or the DRIVE MAN (outside blocker) will control the defender, allowing the other blocker to come off the block to handle the linebacker. It is important to create movement on level one or at the point of attack before one man leaves to handle the linebacker (have patience while looking for level two).



POSTMAN (Inside Blocker) - You are responsible for stopping penetration and for preventing the defender from "splitting" the initial double team. Step with the near foot using a 30-degree angle step to the defenders near jersey number to insure all the good elements of a base block. Aiming point for both hand and foot placement is the inside number of the defender.



INSIDE BLOCKER - (uncovered offensive linemen). Zone blocking footwork is predicated on the type of play called which will be addressed as you read through the manual. As the inside blocker takes his zone step, it is important to read the movement of the defensive man aligned on him. Use a one hand read if the linebacker stays in front or just behind the offensive blocker. Concentrate on his playside number, look at the linebacker and feel the defensive end. If the offensive blocker feels the defender's near hip coming towards him, explode up and under the defender’s chin making sure to stop penetration. Upon making contact, whip your arms and your feet like pistons working to get movement up the field. If the defender has locked - on or is widening with the outside blocker - Punch and Push Off the defender and explode to the 2nd level to block outside or playside breast of the linebacker. NOTE: When in a pre-stance alignment read the positions of the defender on the outside blocker. This may give you a feel by his alignment if he is going to come inside or not.



DRIVE MAN (Outside Blocker) - Power step with the inside foot by taking a 30-degree angle step aiming at the playside number of the down defender. The aiming point for hand placement is the play side number. If the defenders playside number starts to disappear inside, punch and push the defender inside and look for the second level with patience, so to allow the second level to come to you (don't open any doors).



OUTSIDE BLOCKER - (Covered offensive lineman). The outside blocker must read the alignment of the defender aligned on him so he can hit the proper landmark and initially create movement on level one. Footwork for the outside blocker is also determined by type of run play called if the defender is aligned head up, he will step with his playside foot aiming his head gear under the chin of the defender. If he is aligned inside-eye or shoulder, you will pivot step with your outside foot to block to the near number of the defender. If the defender loops-out or locks-on, you want the outside blocker to maintain contact and work the defender off the L.O.S. This movement off the L.O.S. is important in Zone Blocking Principles.



If the defender remains inside of you, continue to drive and maintain contact - once you feel contact from the inside blocker now you can block the scrapping linebacker on level 2. If the defender aligned on you that slants inside - PUNCH and PUSH-OFF the defender and explode to the 2nd level to block the playside linebacker. Block the linebacker by exploding up and through his numbers by using a good base block technique. DO NOT allow linebacker to cross your face, you may have to run with

him.



Getting Ready to Install Your Zone Blocking Schemes



Zone blocking is a technique used in modern day football that is a simple and effective scheme for creating lanes for running plays.



In a zone blocking scheme, fleet-footedness and athletic ability trump size as desirable qualities in offensive linemen. Coordination and technique matter more than muscle in implementing a successful scheme because defensive linemen are often double-teamed at the point of attack. In this blocking scheme which takes much from the Veer blocking system, creating movement on the defensive line is more important than opening a specific hole in the defense.



One of the simplest reasons many teams have incorporated zone blocking in their offenses is that zone

blocking rules do not change based on the defensive front. In a "man block" system, blockers are paired with defenders according to certain rules to create a running lane. If the defensive front changes, or if the defense stunts or blitzes, the blocking rules may change. This requires learning multiple rules for the same play. Zone blocking uses very consistent rules that do not change according to the defensive front.



Linemen Techniques



When using a running back out of the backfield, zone plays are usually categorized into three types:

Inside Zone (IZ), Stretch Zone (SZ) and (OZ) Outside Zone. These types describe the initial landmark of the ball carrier. A common approach is: Inside the tackles for IZ, just inside the last offensive player for the stretch zone (SZ) and just outside the E.M.L.O.S. for Outside Zone (OZ).



For each type of zone there are many different blocking schemes available: - The most basic form asks the offensive linemen to identify whether he is covered or uncovered. If uncovered, he is asked to help play-side on a combo by using wide lateral steps or even bucket steps. The resulting combo then reacts to the movement of the linemen as well as the movement of the linebacker. The initial movement of the combo blocks helps to equalize defensive talent and creates cutback lanes.



Another scheme asks the offensive linemen to imagine a "railroad track" parallel to the running backs path and block everything they find on their way. This could be a linebacker, but also a slanting defensive lineman from somewhere else. Starting from either inside or outside, some offensive lines always pair two on one and use a fullback to block the remaining defender outside. This makes it necessary for the offensive linemen to use a variety of line-splits and steps:



Normally Alert Cals Start from Outside-In

•The outside lineman (tackles or tight end) makes the initial blocking call.

•If the guard is uncovered, he will make the call to notify the tackle he will be getting blocking help by alerting Deuce.

•If the tight end is covered, the tackle will determine if he can help with the tight end by alertin Trey.

•If the center is uncovered, he will determine if he can help with a guard's blocking assignment by alerting Ace Ram or Lion.

•If no help is possible, the covered lineman must block his defender one-on-one by alerting Base

Zone Blocking

When the final rule that allowed for hands and arms in advance of the body in 1985 it opened the door for Zone blocking as we know it today. Zone Blocking took front and center stage with the new rule change that affected how offensive linemen may use their hands and arms which require that a teammate of a runner or a passer legally may block with his shoulders, hands, the outer surface of his arms or any part of his body only if the hands are:



1. In advance of the elbow.

2. Inside the frame of the of the opponent's body with the exception of when the opponent turns his back to the blocker.

3. At or below the shoulder (s) of the blocker and the opponent with the exception of when the opponent squats, ducks or submarines; and

4. The hand (s) shall be open with the palm (s) facing the frame of the opponent or closed or cupped with the palm (s) not facing the opponent.



The use of extended arms and hands with this writer we will call Quick / Draw Punch and Run, which enables an offensive lineman to work for pad control by blocking with extended arms as stated in the N.C.A.A. rule book. Since a great deal of focus is centered around teaching defensive linemen to use quick hands and to develop quick feet, the same idea must be incorporated into this technique taught to the offensive line play (blow delivery). The Quick Draw allows control across the entire area of the defender as long as the hands can work inside the framework of the body. This is done by keeping the feet moving at the same angle as the defender. An offensive lineman needs to utilize to his advantage the natural reaction of movement of the defender; you are not trying to redirect movement but to help it along. The coach needs to incorporate into his teaching progression that for every action there will be a reaction. Coaches must understand movements of defenders as they read and react and run to the football. Quick / Draw Punch and Run allows the offensive line the ability to control different levels of play such as the defensive line level one to second level linebackers. Defenders can be slowed and passed onto other blockers as offensive linemen read the alignment and movement of defenders on the snap of the football.



The philosophy behind Quick Draw / Punch and Run should be directly related to the philosophy of the offense. Since defenses are becoming multifaceted, offensive linemen with the rule changes of 1985 should be able to compensate for size and speed of a defender by using extended arms and hands. The goal here is not to have to redirect size and speed, but to help a defender along when he commits to the offensive lineman's movement. The goal with Zone Blocking is a lineman’s ability to get his hands on the defender before he can get his on him.



The most difficult phase of coaching is putting the right player in the right spot at the right time. The key to the selection of an offensive interior lineman is the player's ability to move quickly and to block for the forward pass. A player's size is less important than his skill in these two categories. In general, take the four best interior offensive football players and put the faster two at guards and the slower two at tackles. Blocking for the forward pass is one of the most difficult skills in football.

A combination zone block normally consists of a covered lineman pulling an uncovered lineman with him as they track a down defender to a second level defender (linebacker). Zone blocking involves the center, guard, tackle and tight end working in combination to block an area with an emphasis on creating double teams who are aligned on the L.O.S. and tracking linebackers instead of chasing them.

The concept of creating combination blocks is for two adjacent linemen to come off in unison and attack the defensive line to the play side or to the side the ball carrier is going. The advantage, as opposed to man blocking, is that you create a combo which is also known as a double team with two players blocking one defensive lineman while tracking a linebacker. This allows the offensive linemen to be aggressive because he knows he has help.

Zone blocking initially starts out as a combo or double team at the point of attack on the down defensive linemen, but the advantage of it is that one of the offensive linemen will leave to attack the linebacker while one stays to take over the defensive lineman. The key is for the two offensive linemen working in unison to combo a defensive lineman and track who and when one of them will leave to block the linebacker (let the linebacker come to you).

Zone schemes are built around two adjacent blockers using a covered & uncovered rule. The general case is to never pull a covered lineman with you thus the uncovered rule applies. A combination zone block normally consists of a covered lineman pulling an uncovered lineman with him as they track a down defender (defensive Lineman) to a second level defender (linebacker). Zone blocking consists of offensive lineman blocking an area instead of a man. The purpose of using the zone blocking scheme is to stop penetration, create movement on level one and seal off a level two or filling linebacker to the call side and backside for cutbacks when possible. 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 down defender on level one, allowing the other blocker to come off his block to handle the linebacker on level two. In this type of blocking scheme, it is critical to create movement on level one before coming of for the linebacker, track your linebacker don’t chase him.



Inside or Vertical Zone



Implementing Inside Zone which is an inside run play predicated on multiple double teams and a vertical push at the line of scrimmage. Inside Zone is best run towards the one technique if presented with an over front or under front. Each lineman will take a six-inch angle-step to their playside gap getting hippo (Hip to Hip) with their partner according to their near ear rule and will read the defenders in front of them, blocking the man to the nearest ear closest to them the combo blocks will push vertical predicated by the alignment of the linebackers behind and near their down defender. If no linebacker shows, the lineman will continue their vertical track looking for any second to third level defender that shows in their area. The ball carrier presses the LOS of scrimmage, usually with an aiming point at the play side guard’s outside hip. As the back presses for any open daylight in the defense. When it opens, he attacks the hole. The result, if the ball carrier is patient and has good field vision, is often a large running lane and huge cutback behind over-pursing defenders.

Zone Blocking Principles - Combination Blocks



Zone blocking consists of offensive lineman blocking an area instead of a man. The purpose of using the zone blocking scheme is to stop penetration, create movement on level one and seal off the onside linebacker, level two or filling linebacker to the call side. 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 down defender on level one, allowing the other blocker to come off his block to handle the linebacker on level two. In this type of blocking scheme, it is critical to create movement on level one before coming of for the linebacker.



INSIDE BLOCKER - (uncovered offensive linemen). Take a drop step with the playside foot followed by a crossover step aiming for the near hip of the defender aligned on the next offensive blocker to the playside, this is referred to as a ZONE STEP. As the inside blocker takes this zone step, it is important to read the movement of the defensive man aligned on him. Use a one hand read if the linebacker stays in front or just behind the offensive blocker. Concentrate on his playside number, look at the linebacker and feel the defensive end. If the offensive blocker feels the defender's near hip coming towards him, explode up and under the defender’s chin making sure to stop penetration. Upon making contact, whip your arms and your feet like pistons working to get movement up the field. If the defender has locked - on or is widening with the outside blocker - PUNCH and PUSH OFF the defender and explode to the 2 level to block outside or playside breast of the linebacker. NOTE: When in a pre-stance alignment read the positions of the defender on the outside blocker. This may give you a feel by his alignment if he is going to come inside or not. Listen for slug or moby call by outside lineman for possible inside slant by the defender.



OUTSIDE BLOCKER - (Covered offensive lineman). The outside blocker must read the alignment of the defender aligned on him so he can hit the proper landmark and initially create movement on level one. If the defender is aligned outside eye or shoulder the outside blocker will drop step with his near foot and then crossover step with the back foot, ripping the backside arm through and aiming your head gear for the outside breast or number. If the defender is aligned head up, he will step with his playside foot aiming his head gear under the chin of the defender. If he is aligned inside-eye or shoulder, you will pivot step with your outside foot to block the near number of the defender. If the defender loops-out or locks-on, you want the outside blocker to maintain contact and work the defender off the L.O.S. This movement off the L.O.S. is important in ZONE BLOCKING PRINCIPLES.



If the defender remains inside of you, continue to drive and maintain contact - once you feel contact from the inside blocker now you can block the scrapping linebacker on level 2. If the defender aligned on you that slants inside - PUNCH and PUSH-OFF the defender and explode to the 2nd level to block the playside linebacker. Block the linebacker by exploding up and through his numbers by using a good base block technique. DO NOT allow linebacker to cross your face, you may have to run with him.