Is there different techniques to blocking the inside and outside zone?

Coach Bets a zone running scheme is usally dictated by how wide the ball is going to be delivered. Coaches have several varying opionions on this topic. For me inside zone schemes are pushed vertically and outside zone schemes using a drop step by the offensive line. Coach Campbell

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Originally posted by: Coach Campbell
Coach Bets a zone running scheme is usally dictated by how wide the ball is going to be delivered. Coaches have several varying opionions on this topic. For me inside zone schemes are pushed vertically and outside zone schemes using a drop step by the offensive line. Coach Campbell

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We have done it with a vertical push scheme for both outside and inside zones, both rotating up to the next backside linebacker

Smithson Valley in Texas runs it this way and run it well.

Inside Zone = "Vertical Push" scheme

Outside Zone = " next man over" scheme without drop step.

Coach Easton

Coach;

You'll find the use of the drop step varies quite a bit on the outside zone. Some coaches use it, some hate taking a backwards step.

I fall into the latter category. You can check out some of Oneback's posts on Zone Blocking - a little while ago there was a GREAT set of discussions on this board or the running game board on zone blocking.

I'd recommend the Alex Gibbs videos as well on the Wide and Tight zone plays that Denver ran, and now the Falcons - he details the blocking up front very well, including a read and landmark system for the RB. One is about 95 mins and the other is about 2.5 hrs long. They can be bought through the Gilman Corporation for $15 each, or you can usually find someone who will trade them.

Along with Oneback's posts these are the best videos I've seen on the subject - although there are quite a few others.

Coach,

Great advice above, and I'd second the idea of getting Alex Gibbs' tapes. He spells out a way of coaching the RB that makes a lot of sense.

Some advocate a drop step on the inside zone but as Oneback pointed out once it sets up a soft shoulder to the side of the drop step. Typically on the IZ the hand closest the DL is placed on the jersey number closest to the DL. Some coaches advocate setting the other hand on the shoulder, some argue the other hand should be left off the DL in a position to track to a LB filling the gap. Putting the off hand on the shoulder adds a little strength to the OL to DL connection. However, others feel this can cause the OL to rotate his hips as he reaches for the shoulder and open up a gap in the double team allowing the DL to split it. I've tried both and prefer the off hand tracking to the LB unless the DT tries to escape that way, it seems to help them remember they have to move off to the filling LB and does keep the hip-to-hip double team together better. Seeing the inside zone in an NFL game can be tough to spot but a lot of 'em run it.

On the outside zone, we use a "bucket step" to allow the lineman to set their angle of departure for the next man over, it has worked well for us. Check out the Broncos, Packers, and especially Colts to see how they apply the next man over scheme on the outside zone. It looks like the whole line just starts running to the sideline, you can't miss it.

I know that a lot of you advocate a bucket step on the outside scheme. But, by giving up ground, how do you compensate for a shaded nose to playside that is bent on beating any choke put his way? By stepping at your covered linemens Dl outside number you at least are in a better position to get a piece of him and not let him come unabated. I know lots of coaches use the bucket step, as I have already stated, including Coach Campbell who's first love is zone blocking. Just was curious as to how you might answer my question. In keeping with the teaching that the 2nd step of an OL, on any block, is the most important one to the success of his block, how does that fit in with a hard charging nose busting through the A gap while your giving up ground? Onebacks "piggy back" method (stepping directly toward your team mate, as if you were pulling reminds me of how I have run my power sweep long before zone blocking came in.) Only difference, we punch quickly and then piggyback to the call side of course. The obvious answer to me is that you have rules for mitigating circumstances like the scenario outlined above, right?

Coach Easton

Coach Easton

J.C. - two thoughts about "shaded nose":

1. CAN have ON G align tighter to ball - jam him & then release to his assignment (one quick shot with inside hand). McNally liked that.

2. Center can shove shaded nose playside & RB makes a slight "wiggle" (jump-cut) behind it.

Just two thoughts!

PS: THE ODDS OF THE CENTER "CUTTING OFF" A SHADED NOSE ARE SLIM & NONE!!!!!

Assume we're going outside right with a nose shade in the A gap. If there is a shade away from the play I have my guard punch with his left hand while executing the bucket step. Unless the nose is a beast, this usually slows his penetration enough for the center to at least get a piece of him on the overtake. Since the play is going outside, the RB should be far enough away the nose won't catch him even if he does penetrate. At my level he's either big and slow or small and quick, the above is effective for either. Having said that, I'd bet at your level you see guys on the nose who are strong and quick enough to knock the guard off his track and/or run down the RB from behind if the center doesn't overtake him which is a real problem I (thank goodness) so far have not had to deal with.

go vertical,

I'd like to hear your reasoning for this. Usually it is the other way around (run inside zone to the 1 or 2i, and outside against a 3). How do you deal with a 3 tech on inside zone?

thanks