Uncovered Man/ IZ & OZ

Good Morning Bill,

Was trying to get this thread to HosHos and was having difficulty locating it. Glad you were on th board.
How is the "Flu Fight" progressing?

JC

Quite simply put - the lead step on the INSIDE ZONE is more AT the DLM on your outside teammate; and on the OUTSIDE ZONE it is more AT your outside teammate (since you are "piggybacking" him). We don't get any more technical than that.

I described OUR (& Joe Bugel's) methos on a previous post (above). Here is how Tom Osborne did it at Nebraska: Note the similarities:

Inside Zone Blocking


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Inside zone blocking is designed to use the movement of the defenders against them as the running back finds the crease in the defense. Though inside zone plays are usually called to the guard or tackle holes (3,4,6,or 7), they can break open anywhere from tight end to tight end, depending on how the defense attacks.

Inside zone blocking rules allow linemen to use the movement and attack angles of the defenders against them. Whichever way the defender chooses to go, he is sealed off and the running back is prepared to cut off the block. Nebraska running backs are taught to attack the line-of-scrimmage (LOS) before cutting on inside zone plays. This gives the blocks the needed time to develop. The rule for the I-back is that his feet must replace the feet of the lineman before he can cut.

Inside zone blocking rules are keyed by whether a lineman is covered or uncovered. A covered lineman (one who has a defensive lineman aligned across from him) will execute a "stretch base" technique. This means he will take a short stretch step to the play side (step right on a 44, left on a 46) and attempt to control the playside shoulder of the d-lineman. The purpose of the stretch step is to invite movement by the d-lineman, then immediately engage him.

Uncovered linemen (no d-lineman across from them) execute a "stretch double" technique. Stretch double also calls for a stretch step to playside. The uncovered lineman then attacks the backside shoulder of the same d-lineman, creating double teams on most of the defensive linemen.

NOTE: the linemen operate on a system that moves to playside, NOT toward the hole called. On a 44 dive the play is called to the right guard, but the key is that it is a right side play. The right tackle's and right tight end's playside shoulders are their RIGHT shoulders even though the play was called to the left of them. The 4 hole is to the right side of the center, so right is playside for everyone on the line.

In executing the stretch double technique, the uncovered lineman assists the covered lineman to the playside; i.e., if a center and playside tackle are covered, the playside guard executes the stretch double with the tackle, NOT the center. If side-by-side linemen are both covered, the playside lineman is "on his own," and executes a stretch base block without double team help.

When executing the double team, both linemen follow what some coaches call a four hands-four eyes technique. This means they have four hands on the defensive lineman and four eyes on the linebacker in the area (their zone- which is where the name of the blocking comes from). When that linebacker commits to attacking the LOS one of the linemen chips off the double team and blocks him. The other lineman must be in position by then to take over the block on the lineman by himself. The linebacker is technically the responsibility of the uncovered lineman, but in practice either lineman can chip off and take the linebacker, depending on their position.

The goal of the stretch and stretch double is to create a cutback lane for the running back. When executed correctly, the "stretched" defender has moved in the direction of the call, and the stretch double prevents him from reaching a running back that has "cut back" against the flow of the play. If the double team can prevent the down lineman from making the tackle, and the "chip off" block prevents the playside linebacker from doing the same, the play can quickly get into the secondary.

The beauty of zone blocking is that the defense can pick its poison. Which ever way they choose to attack or stunt, the linemen (if they have perfected the zone blocking teamwork) can account for them. And the running back is trained to watch this block develop and cut off of it, no matter which direction the defenders are moved.

A very important block on an inside zone play is the backside seal block that allows the IB to cut back all the way to the backside TE spot if the whole defense fights to the playside. Depending on the formation used, the backside tackle, tight end, or fullback can be used to block the backside. A sure sign of an inside zone play is when the fullback heads away toward the TE without a fake while the IB goes straight ahead for a handoff. In one-back sets the backside seal cen be done by a wingback in motion. This is one area where big WB Troy Hasselbroek shone at the end of the 1999 season.

Outside Zone Blocking


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The offensive line blocks Outside Zone Rules. These are similar to Inside Zone Rules in that they use the covered/uncovered read and playside direction. The blocking techniques, though, are different, as the plays are designed to get the defense moving laterally across the field and create seams in their coverage.

The covered lineman executes a "rip-reach" technique. He takes an angle step at the playside shoulder of the defensive lineman and rips with his backside arm. His job is to turn the DLs shoulders and get him off-balance and prepared for his partner.

The uncovered lineman executes a "pull and overtake" technique. He takes a shallow pull step toward playside (sometimes called a bucket step) and works to take over the block of his partner.

The covered lineman wants to rip through his d-lineman to get to the linebacker, while his uncovered partner takes over his original block. If the covered lineman is unable to rip through because the DL fights to the outside, then the covered lineman stays with that block and the pull and overtake lineman pulls around that block and finds the linebacker.

This is from Steve Loney (coached with Bugel at Arizona Cardinals). NOTE: He says that on INSIDE ZONE - uncovered lineman steps at HIP of DLM to outside. That is what I said WE do (step AT DLM). On OUTSIDE ZONE - it is a bigger hip turn more to your outside (covered) teammate.

PRINCIPLES OF INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ZONE SCHEME

ZONE SCHEME- MID TEMPO SCHEME DESIGNED TO BLOCK MULTIPLE FRONTS. DESIGNED TO LATERALLY STRETCH THE DEFENSE OPENING DIAGONAL RUNNING LANES WITH BIG CUTBACK POTENTIAL.

KEY PRINCIPLES:

1. INITIATE MOVEMENT ON THE FIRST LEVEL AND CLIMB TO THE SECOND

2. NEUTRALIZE 1ST LEVEL AND PICK UP 2ND LEVEL AS IT INSERTS INTO THE FRONT

3. MUST BLOCK FORCE ( ALLEY OR SECOND LEVEL PLAYER ASSIGNED TO TURN PERIMETER PLAY INSIDE ) AND ZOT ( ZONE OF THE BACKSIDE TACKLE )

INSIDE ZONE

KEY: MUST DETERMINE IF COVERED OR UNCOVERED- THIS DONE BY SIGHT AND FRONT DETERMINATION

A. COVERED- 3 STEP ZONE (MAY HAVE HELP IF HEAD UP TO INSIDE)

1. WEIGHT TRANSFER STEP ( 6"-8" POWER STEP JUST OUTSIDE DL ALIGNMENT )

2. STEP TO CROTCH MIDLINE (KNEE TO NUTS )

3. WIDTH AND DISTANCE STEP - MAINTAIN BASE, GET GOOD POSITION AND DOWNHILL MOVEMENT

NOTE: MAY HAVE VERY SLIGHT HIP TURN TO TRACK

B. UNCOVERED- ZONE STEP ( STEP TO HIP OF PLAYSIDE DL- EYES ON LB) 3 CHECKS

1. CHECK SLANT- COVERED MAN PLAYSIDE ( 1 HAND IF SLANT BRING TWO )

2. CHECK PLUG- BACKER FILL (ATTACK V.S. IMMEDIATE FILL)

3. CLIMB TO BACKSIDE BACKER

NOTE: HELP INITIATE MOVEMENT THEN CLIMB- NO PIECE THEN CLIMB NOW

NOTES: BACKSIDE TACKLE IS ALWAYS CONSIDERED UNCOVERED

21 BLOCK- BACKSIDE TACKLE BLOCK END AND CLIMB TO WILL AS HE CROSSES MIDLINE

TUFF STEP- UNCOVERED LINEMAN STEPS BACKSIDE TO SECURE BACKSIDE COVERED LINEMANS BLOCK

A. TECH

1. STEP INSIDE OF OUTSIDE FOOT OF DL- EYES ON LB

2. FOREARM LIFT AND GET MOVEMENT

3. CHECK PLUG TO B.S. LB

OUTSIDE ZONE

A. DIFFERENCES FROM INSIDE ZONE

1. STEP OUTSIDE PLAYSIDE- SLIGHTLY BIGGER HIP TURN( DO WHAT ABILITY ALLOWS )

2. 2ND STEP - STEP ON PLAYSIDE FOOT

3. WIDTH AND DISTANCE STEP - MOVEMENT DOWNHILL

4. TARGET - PLAYSIDE ARMPIT

NOTES: IF COVERED IN OUTSIDE ZONE SCHEME - MAY HAVE TO WORK HEAD ACROSS AND FOREARM LIFT ( PIN WITH HEAD PRESSURE- PUMP PLAYSIDE ARM )

V.S. PLAYSIDE SHADE PRESS PLAYSIDE BREASTPLTE AND PULL BACKSIDE- TURN SHOULDERS AND WORK DOWNHILL

All of the techniques have merit. Penetration has not been a problem for us when lead stepping on the Inside Zone BECAUSE:
A) we are OFF the ball as far as legal;
B) man you are zoning with will contact the outside 1/2 of the man (regardless pf his charge) & there will be no penetration unless he "whiffs"!

I have a few questions about Inside Zone blocking:
Does the covered lineman execute a stretch step even if the DL is inside shading him? If so, is the intention to get the OL onto the DL's outside shoulder, sealing the DL from getting outside? Or is it that the OL takes the DL with him?
Let's say the playside G and T were covered, and the T had an inside shade on him. The T is one-on-one, so should he still step to the outside, giving the DL a chance to penetrate inside?
I just want to make sure I understand the intention of the steps.

How is the force player blocked, generally?

Take the example of a standard I-Form against a 4-3. The 4-3 has a BSDE in a 5 Tech, a BSDT in a 1, a PSDT in a 3 and a PSDE heads-up on the TE (can't remember what that technique is... it gets all confusing when you get to the TE, doesn't it!).
Will is over the Backside B-Gap, Mike has the playside A-Gap and Sam is over the playside C-Gap. The SS is the force defender.

In this example, from what I gather of Inside Zone:
The BST will go straight for Will.
The FB will cut off the BSDE.
The BSG and C will combo the BSDT to Mike.
The PSG will take the PSDT alone.
The PST and TE will combo the PSDE to Sam.

Who blocks the SS?

Also, What happens if the BSDT is aligned in a 2i? Does the C go straight for Mike? How close does a BACKSIDE DL have to be to 'qualify' to be comboed? In this case, the C can't get to the frontside DL (3 tech), and the backside DL is inside shading the BSG... when does that backside block become a no-no?

Sorry for the amount of questions, but I am giving serious thought to installing inside and outside zone next year. (I had ditched the idea, but then I watched Pittsburgh demolish Philly last Sunday with what looked to me like zone plays.)
Thanks for your time.
Andy

Coachjd or anyother's,
Just wanted a little more information on the bucket step. Is this the theory of giving ground to gain ground? We have used the lateral step and near leg step as well with limited success, I am very interested on the technique of the bucket step. Would you use the bucket on the outside zone as well. Once again thank you for your help.

Hos-Hos - my reply above was to a coach from Ireland.

As to the "bucket step": Many good line coaches use it (McNally, Howard Mudd, University of Minnesota, etc.). Many good line coaches do NOT use it - they "lead step" instead (Bugel, Hanifan, Grimm, Matsko, A Gibbs). This has been a source of friendly debate among NFL line coaches for years, & it is strictly a matter of PERSONAL PREFERENCE. I like the "lead step". Best thing for you to do is to study CUTUPS of the teams in question & choose what is best for you. Get the Alex Gibbs video on ZONE BLOCKING (see my post above). It is the best video out on the subject.
Regards; Bill

OneBack,
The bucket step is like a pull step? Open at 90 degree, 2nd step would be to the DL near leg or crotch, and the 3rd step would square me up and then drive. With young linemen would this be a good idea? I live in Ohio and travel to Bowling Green and Toledo to talk with their coaches and I believe they bucket on the outside zone not on the inside zone.....to dangerous they let the back work for them. Would you agree with this assesment bucket ( is this the same as piggy-back) on the outside but not on the IZ. Thanks!

OneBack,
Thanks for that info. My biggest problem is the penetration we were getting from the head-up DL. We tried to cut down the split but that goes against the rules of the IZ. We taught our uncovered lineman to replace the BS foot of the covered lineman while stepping laterally. I have heard on here that they should step to the DL BS leg. We did teach them that but on the 2nd step (which put one foot in front of the other), then on the 3rd they squared up by bringinng the PS foot around. I guess the other thing we could do is get off the ball more to allow more room for our OL to get into position. I like the lateral step because it gives you more flex, the stepping to the DL BS leg on the 1st step concerns me because of the penetration we had. Your thoughts?

Oneback,
Thanks for the help. I just lined up some of my guys and we were at 14" vs. 2i also 4i and it looked pretty good. I guess like anything else it is a matter of reps and more reps. We see a lot of what we call tite 50, the guard, tackle, and te covered. In this front the only double you are going to get will be with the center and psg...correct. Regardless of the tech. on the pst and pste they will be what I call "solo". So if the pst has a 4i he will take him "solo" Is this correct?

In that defense you describer - What are they playing on the OTHER SIDE? If there are 4 men to one side of the Center & 3 men to the other side - run the Inside Zone to the 3 man side. ALSO - how do they adjust to 2 TE set (with 2 WR's & 1 RB - like the Colts use)?
Vs. the front you described - you should have a FIELD DAY on the Outside Zone!!!!!

Coach Mountjoy,
Thanks for your response.
I've just been reading through some old threads on Zone blocking on this forum and there's one question that I couldn't find a satisfactory answer to. I'll use a scenario to illustrate my problem:

It's Inside Zone Right. There's a DL in the backside A-Gap, right in the middle of the gap, and a DL heads-up on the PSG.
The idea that each lineman is responsible for a zone at a 45-degree angle to his playside would suggest that the C would combo with the PSG.
But I worry that the A-Gap defender would be washed into the play by the block of the BSG.

What should happen here? Does the C combo with the BSG or the PSG?
Regards,
Andy

Yes - in 4-3 OVER with a 2I backside, Center zones with playside Guard from M to #2.
HOWEVER - IF there is a shaded nose backside (rather than a 2I) it is more secure for Center to zone with BACKSIDE Guard!

Thanks for the replies, I think I'm getting it now.

A lot depends on the BSG's ability to make that killer block on the 2i. Or for the RB to cut back around the BSG?

You say that the C blocks a shaded nose to the backside. Is it correct, then, to apply that to all linemen (except the BST) and tell them that a defender is 'in their zone' if he is shading them to the backside? Anything further to the backside than that and it's not your responsibility anymore.

How do you handle a situation where, say, the C has a 0 tech on him, with a LB walked-up in the playside A-Gap?

Would this require an audible from the linemen, or is there a catch-all rule that would help counter this sort of situation?

Thanks for your time,
Andy