Do you "hang your hat on the zone?"

JOE BUGEL – INSIDE ZONE BLOCKING (“40/50 GUT”)

NOTE: Uncovered man responsible for inside half of down lineman and covered lineman responsible for outside half of down lineman.

UNCOVERED MAN: Take a lead step and catch up with your covered teammate as you READ the near knee of the down lineman on him. As you work through your playside gap – if the near knee comes towards you block his inside number & fit him up sliding in the direction he is going (eyeball Lber in case he comes inside); if near knee doesn’t come towards you work up on Lber. 3 situations can occur (see COVERED MAN).

COVERED MAN: Take a lead step with your outside foot eyeballing outside number of down lineman on you – second step with inside foot thru crotch of opponent. You must think man block and only go to Lber when wiped off by uncovered teammate. 3 situations usually occur: 1) Down lineman is in an outside shade & stretches – you stay on him and uncovered teammate works up on Lber. 2) Down lineman is head up & anchors on you – use double team technique driving him into Lber & stay on him until wiped off by uncovered teammate then work straight up on Lber. 3) Down lineman head up or inside shade & slants inside – force him to flatten his slant & stay on him until wiped off by uncovered teammate then work straight up on Lber.

LINEMEN NOT ZONING USE “DRIVE” (MAN) BLOCKS. Don’t worry about getting position on defender – worry about blow delivery. When coming off the ball you guide with your eyes (aim with your face), and your eyes take you to the aiming point or landmark which is the playside #. Your first step is a short directional step and you throw your arms out of the socket (“don’t shoot from the holster”). On the second step, your power foot must be on the ground and you arm thrust (100% blow delivery) with your fists into his short ribs (below the pads), tucking your tail and “lifting him out of his socks”. Don’t put your face or shoulder in, because you will be overextended and your head will be down.

NOTE: OUTSIDE ZONE BLOCKING (“60/70 OUTSIDE”): Only difference is that it is a wider reach (almost a pull) – uncovered blocker “piggybacks” covered blocker & covered blocker reaches almost to hip of outside teammate. Uncovered blocker will stay on a down lineman head up on covered teammate, and covered teammate comes off on Lber – “forcing the switch”.

RUNNING BACK (“40/50 GUT” – INSIDE ZONE): 1st. step with playside foot, roll, crossover, and aim nose for Tackle’s inside hip, Key the block on the first down lineman outside the Center, and make your cut on THEIR side of the L.O.S. If there is daylight in the B gap – cram the B gap – otherwise, if DLM goes out you cut inside (& vice versa).