Power blocking

Coach,

I think you'll find that it's better to stay away from zone blocking when you are running smashmouth plays. What we do is basically have everyone use the gap, man, backer rule you speak of, with the exception of the TE. The TE will check the alignment of the DE and take the best release. So, if the DE is in an 8 or 9 technique (head up or outside shade), the TE will gap down on a DT or scrape to near ILB. If the DE is in a 7 technique (inside shaded), he will take an outside release and work to the first support invert (SS, OLB, etc).


I hope this is helpful. It's a good play, especially if you have guards who can get up in that hole and pick up a backer or a safety.