Pushing and Zoning The Vertical Push For Inside Zone

Coach Campbell,
I am fairly new to the concept of zone blocking. We have always used Veer or Man principles in our offense. Could you explain the L step as well as any terms or phases that you may use to communicate the footwork that is to be used to the offensive lineman. For example, the coaches at the Univ. of Illinois use a phase " Four eyes and Four Hands " when teaching the combo block. This refers to the Off. Lineman stepping into the midline of the Def. Lineman. How do you teach the footwork for the Inside and the Outside Zone.

With the inside run from the gun your offensive line will use the near ear rule for pushing this paly with them taking their push vertically and what also helps this play is taht when your back gets the ball he should have his shoulders parallel to the LOS. With the outside zone your offensive line will use a drop step and attack the playside jersey number of their defender to stretch the play, when your running back gets the ball now from the QB his shoulders should be moving at the same angle as your offensive line to stretch this play. Coach CAmpbell

Coach for the inside zone plays the aiming point for the running back is the outside hip of the guard upon movement the back will drop step with his playside foot in order for the QB to get the ball even deeper to his back. The QB opens up at a 45 degree angle and then rolls over his outside foot to get the ball to his back.

On any combo the linemen on the inside zone will not exit their combo until the LBer gets to their level. Who comes off is determined by which side the LBer fills. Coach CAmpbell