ZONE BLOCKING MANUAL
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Run Blocking Techniques GENERAL INFORMATION INFORMATION LINE INE SPL SPLITS--18" DEPTH--Do -Down hand and on toes of the Center LEFT LEFT SIDE OF LINE-Left LINE-Left hand down RIGHT SIDE SIDE OF LINE-Rig LINE-Right ht hand hand down down COVERED COVERED LINEMAN LINEMAN-Def -Defender ender head-up head-up or on either shoulder shoulder on the line of stancee scrimmage in 3 or 4 point stanc UNCOVER UNCOVERED ED LINEMAN-De LINEMAN-Defender fender head-up head-up or on either shoulder stancee on the line of scrimmage in 3 or 4 point stanc toes of the Center 00
STEP CHAR CHART T
1 8"
00
toes of the Center
00
18 "
18"
A
00
1 8"
00
A B
B C
C
L D
D
E E A. Drive Step Step -6 inch directional directional step toward toward Aiming Point. Usually Usually used used for Base Base block. block. B. Le Lead ad Step Step -6 inch directional directional step toward toward Aiming Point. Used Used for an insi inside de Zone, Zone, Down Down or Chip Chip block block C. Slide Step -6 inch directional directional step toward toward Aiming Point. Used for Outside Outside Zone Blocking when when covered covered with a HEAD HEAD UP defender. defender. D. Drop Ste Step p -6 inch directional directional step toward toward Aiming Point. Used for Outside Outside Zone Blocking when when covered covered and facing an OUTSIDE SHADE defender. E. Bucket Bucket Ste Step p -6 inch directiona directionall step toward toward Aiming Aiming Point. Point. Used for Outside Outside Zone Blocking Blocking when uncovered. uncovered. 2
Run Blocking Techniques I. BASE Block Block The The base block block is the heart heart of any blocki blocking ng scheme and and the most most important important to masmaster. ter. This technique technique will be used used by linemen MOSTL MOSTLY Y on our Inside Inside Zone Zone (Base) play play when they they are are covered covered and and their inside teammate teammate is also covered. It is important important to note that our linemen will have the option of blocking the defender any way the defender wishes wishes to go. go. The The most important important aspect aspect is to get get movement movement upfield, upfield, laterally laterally,, or both and to STAY play is is over. over. In our offense STAY ENGAGED( ENGAGED( Be Be a part part of the Tackle ackle)) until the play the BASE BASE call means that the lineman will not be involved in a combination combination or Zone Zone block block but, instea instead, d, he will be working working alone alone.. A. Aiming Aiming Point Point On each of of our blocks, blocks, the linemen linemen will will be give given n an aiming point. point. The linelineman must get his head head gear to that aiming point point and fight fight to keep it there throu through gh the execution of his block. The aiming aiming point for the Base Base block is;
00 AP
The Sternum Sternum or point between the numbers n umbers of the defender. defender. All linemen will will keep their their shoulders shoulders parallel parallel to the path path of the ball carrier carrier.. This This will prevent prevent linebacker linebacker run throug throughs hs by allowin allowing g the linemen linemen to to see see the the defensiv defensivee movement. B. Approach Approach (Seek) (Seek) Always Always explode explode off off the the line of of scrimmage scrimmage on the correct correct snap count. count. This is accomplished by knowing knowing you responsibilit responsibilities ies and ALW ALWAYS taking the corr co rrect ect initial ini tial step. step. Your initial step in a Base Base block will will be with with the foot foot nearest nearest the defender defender you are are blocking. blocking. After this step step you you must roll roll off the takeoff takeoff foot agg aggressivel ressively y and with you yourr head up. up. By keeping keeping your your head up and your your back flat, flat, you you will better better be able able to get under under the defender‘s pads. Aim the “nose” of your helmet (crosshairs) for the proper aiming point. point. This can can only be accomplished accomplished with with your your HEAD HEAD AND EYES EYES UP. UP.
“A man can’t can’t hit what his eyes eyes can‘t see.” see.” 3
C. Contac Contactt (Destr (Destroy) oy) Throw your arms back on your first step and POP hands into aim ing point with as much fo rce as po ssible. ssible. First contact must be w ith the HANDS fol lowed by the “nose” of the helmet helmet in o rder to to maintain m aintain control control and co ntact ntact with the defender. defender. The lineman‘s hands will m ake contact contact with the defender at at the Aiming Point (Sternum) (Sternum) with the thumb s up. A lift lifting ing action (Bench Press) will be utilized utilized to allow the linem an to roll roll the hips hips into the defender(LIFT defender(LIFT HIM OU T OF HIS SHOES ). This hip roll allows the lineman to use use the strong strong leg muscles and and to maintain maintain the Powe r Angles. To finish finish the block, the lineman wi ll arch arch the back and “climb the ladder” while driving the feet. Keep a wide base with your feet feet and take SHORT CHOP PY POW ER STE PS to maintain contact.
II. Inside Zone Principles(Bas Principles(Base) e) Ou r Inside Inside Zone blocking p rinciple requires requires linemen to block a p articular man first and to to zone if Uncovered. The purpos e is to stop pen etration, create create movem ovesecon d level. ment on the first level , and s eal off the playside or filling linebacker on th e secon All Zone blocks begin as an insid insidee-out dou ble-team. ble-team. As the linemen begin to get movement, either the ou tside tside or the inside linem an will gain control over the down defender allowing the o ther ther lineman to come off th e block to the second lev el linebacker linebacker.. W E MUST get movement on the first level before sliding to the second level. A. Uncover Uncovered ed Lineman Lineman::
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00
Play Direction
AIMING POINT-Inside Number of first down defender to the playside Take a slide step and catch up with your covered teammate as you READ the near Knee of the dow dow n lineman on him. As you work through through your playside playside gap, gap, if the Knee comes toward you, b lock his INSIDE numb er & fit him sliding sliding in th e direction direction he is going. (eyeball LB in case he comes inside). If the Knee doesn’t come towards towards you , work up o n LB. You have on ly two opt ions and both de pend on reading the defender‘s defender‘s reaction: 1. Knee goes away. (Diagram (Diagram 1 ) a. Try to get outside hand on the hip of the down lineman w hile moving to the linebacker. linebacker. b. Adju st your path to pick up the linebacker. linebacker. c. Engage Engag e the linebacker linebacker and S TAY ON THE BLOCK BLOCK UNTIL UNTIL THE WHISTLE. WHISTLE. 4
2. Knee comes to you. you. a. b. c. d.
LB
(Diagram 2) Continue to work to your your aiming point point on the down lineman. Fight to gain control control of the down lineman and push the out -side blocker off of the Down Lineman KEEPYOUR KEEP YOUR FEET FEET MOVIN MOVING G Engage the Down lineman linem an and STA STAY ON THE BLOC BLOCK K UNTIL THE WHISTLE. WHISTLE.
LB T
T
Diagram 1 B. Covered Covered lineman lineman
D i agr am 2
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Aiming Point is Outside Outside Number
Play Direction
Take a lead step with your outside foot while eyeballing the outside number of the defender defender. Throw Throw your your second step through through the crotch of the Down Do wn Lineman. You must mu st think thin k man block and only go to the LB LB when pushed pus hed off the block by your teammate You have only two options and both depend on reading the defender’s reaction: 1. Defensive Defensive lineman fights fights to your playsid playsidee gap (Diagram 1) a. Maintain contact contact with with the down lineman lineman and work work to your aiming point. b. Engage the down lineman and STA STAY ON THE THE BLOC BLOCK K UNTIL THE WHISTLE. WHISTLE. 2. Defensive Defensive lineman goes to your your inside gap (Diag (Diagram ram 2) a. Extend inside inside arm on the down down lineman. b. Push off the down lineman while while working to the second secon d level linebacker. linebacker. c. Engage the linebacker and and STAY STAY ON THE BLOCK BLOCK UNTIL THE WHISTLE. WHISTLE. 5
INSIDE ZONE BLOCKING RULES When blocking inside zone, there are are THREE THREE question you you must answer; 1) Am I Play Playside side or Back Backside? side? 2) Am I cover covered ed or uncover uncovered? ed? 3) Is my my inside inside team team mate mate cover covered ed?? A. PLA PLAYSIDE (Includes Center) Center) 1. Covered Covered (Inside (Inside to Outside Shoulder Shoulder on LOS) a. Lineman Lineman to your your inside inside is Covere Covered d
B T
N
E
rule: BAS BASE E BLOCK LOCK MAN MAN ON Play Direction
b. Linema Lineman n to your inside is Uncov Uncover ered ed
B
N
T
E
rule: PO POWER WER ZONE w/ INSI INSID DE LM Play Direction
2. Uncover Uncovered ed (Inside to outside shoulder shoulder off the LOS) LOS) rule: PO POWER WER ZONE w/ OUTS OUTSID IDE E LM
B
N
T
E
Play Direction Direction 6
B. BACKSIDE 1. GUAR GUARD D a. CENTER COVERED
b. CENTER UNCOVERED
rule: POWER ZON ZONE w/ CENTER
rule: REACH PLA PLAYSI YSIDE GAP TO LB
B
B N
T
T
E
N
2. TACKLE ACKLE a. EMOL i s on You
b. EMOL i s outs ide of you
rule: RE REACH ACH PLA PLAYSI YSIDE GAP TO LB
rule: 1st 1st DOWN LM HEAD EAD UP TO OUTSID OUTSIDE E OF GUARD GUARD
B E
T
B N
N
E T
3. TIGHT IGHT END END a. Tackle is Covered
b. Tackle is Uncovered
rule: POWER ZONE w/ TACKLE
rule: REACH TO LB
B E
T
N
B
B
B E
T
N
PLAY PLAY DIRECTI DIRECTION ON FOR ALL EXAMPLE EXAMPLES S 7
III. III. Combin Combination ation Blocks Blocks (Diagram (Diagram 3) The following following calls can be made made to help linemen determin determinee who they they are working in combination with. A. “ACE”(G-Covered, “ACE”(G-Covered, C-Uncovered C-Uncovered)) Combi Combi nation block between between the Center and the Guard used used to handle handle a 0 technique technique to a 3 techniq technique ue play playside. side. Call will be be made made initia initially lly by the Guar Guard. d. The The cent center er will ill add add a “RA “RAM” call call if he comb combos os with with the right Guard or a “LION “LION”” call if he combos with the left Guard. Guard. B. “DUECE”(T-Cover “DUECE”(T-Covered, ed, G-Uncovered) G-Uncovered) Combina Combination tion block block between between the Guard Guard and and the Tackle ackle in order to handle handle a down down lineman and and a linebacke linebackerr. Tackle will will make the call if the Guard is uncovered uncovered and available to help the Tackle. C. “TREY” (Y-Covered (Y-Covered,, T-Uncover T-Uncovered) ed) Combi Combi nation block between the the Tack Tackle le and the Tight End in order order to handle handle the def defensive ensive end and and a linebacker linebacker or strong strong safety safety.. Usu Usu ally ally called called by by Tight End End on play playside side versus versus a 7 techniq technique. ue. D. “BASE”(Covered “BASE”(Covered Lineman Lineman w/ inside Teammate eammate also Covered) Call made made by any lineman lineman when he he is i s covered covered and and his inside teammate teammate is also covere covered. d. Inside Inside Zone Zone or Base Base play play will most often often carry this call. E. “SLIP” or “SLIDE” Backside Backside call made by lineman not in combination. combination. Tells him to block his backside backside rule. rule.
Line Calls for “Red Base” (Inside Zone) Diagram 3 B E T
B T
N
“Base”
“Duece”
“Lion”
E
“Slip” “Slip”
“Ram”
E “Trey”
43 B
B T
“Slip”
44
B T
T
E
“Base”
52
E
B
B
B
B T “Ram”
E
“Trey”
B E “Slip”
T “Deuce”
B N
T
“Ram”
E
“Base”
52 Over 8
TECHN TECHNIQ IQUES UES AND AND PRE-SNA PRE-SNAP P READ READS S By learni learning ng the defensive defensive line techniques, techniques, offensive offensive linemen can get get a very very good idea who who they will end up blocking on inside zone plays. plays. If the Offensive lineman can master the 10-50-90 rule, he will make himself himself a much more more effective blocker blocker and will will make us a much much better better team. team.
DEFENSIVE DEFENSIVE TECHNIQU TECHNIQUES ES 8
96 7
5 4 4I 3 2 1
1. IN INSIDE SIDE SHADE HADE ON GUAR GUARD D 2. HEAD HEAD UP-ON UP-ON GUARD GUARD 3. OUT OUTSID SIDE SHAD SHADE E ON GUAR UARD 4I. INSIDE SHADE ON ON TACKLE TACKLE 4. HEAD UP- ON TACKLE
0
1 2 3 4I 4 5 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
769
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OU OUTSID SIDE SHAD SHADE E ON TACKL ACKLE E HEAD UP-ON TE INSI INSIDE DE SHA SHADE ON TE ONE MAN MAN OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OF TE OUTSIDE SHADE OF TE
**ALL **ALL EVEN NUMBERS NUMBERS DESIG DESIGNA NATE TE A HEAD-UP HEAD-UPALI ALIGNME GNMENT NT
10-5010-50-90 90 RULE IF THE COVERE COVERED D LINEMAN LINEMAN HAS HAS AN OUTSIDE OUTSIDE SHADE; SHADE; -COVERED LINEM LINEMAN AN HAS A 90% PROBABILITY THAT HE WIL WILL PROBABILITY THA STAY ON THAT MAN. PROBABILITY THAT -UNCOVERED LINEM LINEMAN AN HAS A 10% PROBABILITY THAT HE WILL WILL BLOCK THE DEFENSIVE LINEMAN. T 10
90
IF THE COVERE COVERED D LINEM LINEMAN AN HAS A HEAD-UP HEAD-UP DEFENDE DEFENDER; R; -COVERED LINEM INEMAN HAS HAS A 50% PROBABILITY THA THAT HE WIL WILL STAY ON THAT MAN. -UNCOVERED LINEM INEMAN AN HAS HAS A 50% PROBABILITY THAT THAT HE WILL WILL BLOCK THE DEFENSIVE LINEMAN. T 50
50
IF THE COVERE COVERED D LINEMAN LINEMAN HAS HAS AN INSIDE INSIDE SHADE; SHADE; -COVERED LINEM INEMAN HAS HAS A 10% PROBABILITY THA THAT HE WIL WILL STAY ON THAT MAN. -UNCOVERED LINEM INEMAN AN HAS HAS A 90% PROBABILITY THAT THAT HE WILL WILL BLOCK THE DEFENSIVE LINEMAN. T 90
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IV. IV. Outside Zone Principles(Str Principles(Stretch) etch) The same rules as Inside Zone but the aiming points p oints and steps will change. A. Uncovered Uncovered Blocker Blocker Use a “Bucket Step”, and crossover to Piggyback your covered teammate.(aim teammate.(aim for the shoulder pad of your teammate) teammate) Uncovered Uncovered blocker will stay on a down lineman lineman on your covered covered teammate. teammate. FORCED THE SWITCH. Don’t block LB unless he is even with your inside shoulder and threatening threatening the gap. B. Covered Covered Blocker Use a “Slide Step” Step” to the t he DLM’s DLM’s outside shoulder s houlder when the defender is head head up. Use a “Drop Step” Step” to the DLM’s DLM’s outside shoulder when the defender is shaded to the outside. Run through the playside playside shoulder and get on the LBer.
ALWAYS BECOME PART ART OF TH THE E TACKLE!!! stay on your block
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V. Counter Counter Principles Principles and Rules Play can be run as a “Counter” with the backside Tackle leading through through the hole, hole, or as a “Counter “Counter Lead” with the first backside back leading through the hole. The same concept as Inside Zone except that the rules are opposite. You must still s till answer the same questions;
1) Am I Playside Playside or Backside? Backside? 2) Am I covered or uncovered? 3) Is my inside teamate teamate cover covered? ed? A. PLAYSIDE PLAYSIDE LINEMEN (G-T-TE) (G-T-TE)
1. Covere Covered d a. Lineman to to your inside is Covered Covered RULE: Work zone with your inside teammate to the backside LB
b. Lineman to your inside is Uncovered RULE: Work zone with your outside teammate to the backside LB
2. Uncove Uncovered red a. Lineman to to your inside is Covered Covered RULE: Work Track Track Zone with your inside teammate to the backside LB
b. Lineman to your inside is uncovered RULE: Work Track Track Zone from inside gap to Backside LB-build a wall. w all. B. CENTER CENTER 1st man on the LOS to the offside C. OFFSIDE OFFSIDE GUARD Pull through the football. There is no no read---KICK read---KICK OUT the End Man on the Line(EMOL) D. OFFSIDE TACKLE h ip of the Offside Offsid e Guard. COUNTER: Pull 1 yard deeper and on the hip Dip upfield directly off of the playside double-team and look over o ver your inside inside shoulder for the playside playside LB. DON’T SLOW DOWN!! DOWN!! If the LB runs through, Trap Trap him. LEAD: #2 Down lineman to your side 11
COUNTER & LEAD B E
B
T
N
SS T
E
B
B N
T
T
B
B E
N
B E
T
B
B E
B
B E
T
T
44 B N
B E
Lead B
B
33
E
Lead
E
Counter
Counter
T
B
E
B T
T
E
T
B
43 B
E
Lead
E
T
B
B
T
B N
B
Counter
B
E
B
N
E
N
53
B
B
T
SS
Lead
B
Counter E
E
B
52
Counter E
B
B E
B N
B E
B
Lead 12
VI. Man Bloc Blockin king g Man block locking re req quire uires th tha at th thee lin lineman memoriz orizee a set of RULES ULES for for each each man bloc blocking king play. lay. He mu must also also know now th that at th tho ose ter term ms ne need ed tobe to be follo followe wed d in the the ord order th they ey occu curr. The foll follow owing ing ex example shou should ld he help lp you to undernderstand stand how th these ese term termss wor work.
LIN LINMAN’S RULE: “ON-OVER-TRACK ON-OVER-TRACK ZONE” ZONE”
EXA EXAMPLE LE::
ON-If you you are are COVERE VERED, D, base block block man on T
**If *If the herre is no one on you, move to ne nex xt step step
OVER-If th theere is a LB over you, bas base bloc lock him B T **I **If th theere is no one one on or over you, move to to ne next step
TRACK TRACK ZO ZONE NE::
Track rack Zon Zone is an out utsi side de-in -in zon zone block block which hich take takes the blocke lockerr to the back ackside LB
B T 13
LINE TERMS ACE (G-Covered, (G-Covered, C-Uncovered) C-Uncovered) Combination block between the Center and the Guard used to handle a 0 to 3 technique lineman on on the playside. playside. Initial call call will be made by the Guard. The Center will add a “RAM” call if he combos with the th e right Guard, or a “LION” “LION” call if he combos with the left Guard.(see page 20) LION Call associated with ACE. LION will tell the the Left Left Guard that he will be working working in tandem tandem with the Center Center on an ACE zone block. block. Call will will be made by the the Center or Guard.(see page 20) RAM Call associa associated ted with ACE. RAM will tell tell the Right Right Guard that that he will be working in tandem tandem with the Center Center on an ACE zone block. block. Call will will be made by the Center Center or Guard.(see page 20) DUECE (T-Covered, G-Uncovered) Combination block between the Guard and the th e Tackle Tackle in order to handle a down d own lineman and a linebacker. linebacker. Tackle will make the call if if the Guard is uncovered u ncovered and available to help the Tackle.(see page 20) TREY (Y-Covered, T-Uncovered) Combination block between the Tackle Tackle and the Tight End in order to handle the defensive end and a linebacker or strong safety. safety. Usually called called by the Tight Tight End on playside versus a 7 technique.(see page 20) BASE (Covered Lineman w/ inside Teammate also Covered) Called made by any lineman lineman when he has a defender d efender shaded to his outside and the play is going inside. Inside zone or Base Base play will most often carry carry this call. BASE is also our call for the inside zone play.(see page 20) COUNTER Blocking scheme in which both the backside Guard Gu ard and the backside T Tackle ackle pull to the called side. The Guard will trap block the first defender to show and the Tackle Tackle will lead on the first linebacker linebacker. All playside playside linemen will block Zone Counter rules.(see page 23) 23) . COUNTER is not only the blocking scheme, it it is also the play play name.
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TAIL (Tackle Lead) Backside Tackle Tackle leads through the playside hole to a linebacker. linebacker. This call will usually occur on a Wrap Play when the Guard is covered. covered. GULL (Guard Lead) Backside Guard leads leads through the playside hole to a linebacker. linebacker. This call will usually occur on a Wrap Play when the Guard is uncovered. uncovered. GUT (Guard Trap) Backside Guard traps the first down lineman past the PS guard. GUT is not only the blocking scheme, it is also the play name. If the play call call is preceded by a letter, it will designate that someone other than the H back will carry the ball, it will not change the the blocking. Ex; Q GUT, GUT, A GUT, Z GUT, GUT, etc. etc. GUS (G-Block) Playside Playside Guard will pull p ull and kick out the EMOL(end EM OL(end man on line) LOG
Block executed by a pulling lineman lineman to seal s eal the EMOL(end man on line) to the inside. COVERED Alignment of a defensive linemen head-up h ead-up or on either shoulder of the Offensive Of fensive lineman on the Line of Scrimmage. Defender is usually usually in a 3 or 4 point stance.(see stance.(see pages 18-19) UNCOVERED Indicates Indicates the same as COVERED COVE RED except the defender is off the Line of Scrimmage by 1 or more yards. yards. Defender is usually standing up.(see up.(see pages 18-19) TRACK ZONE Counter and Lead Zone blo cking AW AWAY from the play side. Same covered and uncovered rules are applied, but the uncovered man helps the next teammate away from playside. playside. This is an outside-in outside-in Zone. (see page 23) SLIP
Backside zone blocking technique. technique. Tells the backside linemen they are blocking their backside rules. (see page 19)
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LEAD Counter blocking scheme in which the Backside back will lead through hole on linebacker instead of the the backside Tackle. Tackle. Backside Tackle Tackle blocks the #2 linema linema n to the Backside. (see page 24) ON
Base block on a down de fender. fender. Offensive lineman is covered. OVER Base block on a LB w ho is playing off ball from from inside to ou tside shoulder of the offensive lineman. FRED Fold block in which the outside man blocks down and the inside man folds to the outside. The down blocker always goes first. WILMA Fold block in which the inside m an blocks out and the ou tside man folds to the inside. The out blocker always goes first. REACH Block on a defensive lineman wh o is shade d to your your playside. A drop drop or bucket step is used depend ing on how far the defender is is shaded. OLM sho uld attem attem pt to REACH the playside shoulder of the defender and maintain contact.
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